FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Colts begin the next phase of the 2026 season tonight.
Indianapolis opens the preseason against the Patriots at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Gillette Stadium, a chance for players to either affirm or alter the impression they’ve made on the coaching staff to this point.
The preseason will change the picture. Injuries always happen in preseason games — which is why the Colts likely will not play most of their starters — and force a team to make changes.
Without knowing what those injuries and complications will be, here’s a look at a 53-man roster projection after the first two weeks of training camp.
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Quarterbacks (3)
Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard, Anthony Richardson
Richardson’s trade request remains active, and the start of the preseason will likely create a need for a backup quarterback on other rosters that Richardson could fill. On the other hand, the former Colts starter hasn’t generated much interest on the market. If the Colts can’t find a trade partner for Richardson, Indianapolis will have three quarterbacks with starting experience on the roster.
Running backs (3)
Jonathan Taylor, Seth McGowan, Ulysses Bentley IV
There’s a case to be made that the Colts could still add a player on the waiver wire at the deadline, or that 2025 fifth-rounder DJ Giddens deserves more time to prove himself. McGowan has looked like a capable No. 2 in training camp, putting the decision between Bentley and Giddens. Bentley’s pass-catching ability offers the potential to be a true third-down back, a role that Shane Steichen has used in the offense in the past.
Wide receivers (6)
Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, Ashton Dulin, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Anthony Gould, Deion Burks
Indianapolis likely still needs to add a more experienced No. 3 option if the right option is on the market. Dulin and Westbrook-Ikhine have each had flashes in training camp, but neither player has been a consistent starter in their time in the NFL, and Pierce’s ankle situation has put the team’s depth in stark clarity in training camp. How things shake out after the top four is hard to predict, and will likely depend on special teams. Coleman Owen has been the best backup to Downs in training camp, but Gould has NFL return experience, and while Burks has been up and down, the rookie receiver might be able to prove he has value in the kicking game beyond returns.
Tight ends (4)
Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory
Indianapolis brought Alie-Cox and Ogletree back to create the same mix at tight end. The wild card is Mallory, who might be the team’s fourth receiving option based on the consistency he’s shown in training camp. The Colts often kept Mallory inactive last season as insurance for Warren, but the situation at wide receiver might convince them to find more ways to get Mallory on the field.
Offensive line (8)
Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Jalen Travis, Jalen Farmer, Dalton Tucker, Blake Freeland
The Colts typically keep at least nine offensive linemen on the 53-man roster. A case can be made to limit the linemen on the active roster this season. Goncalves is likely the team’s top option to play tackle in case of an injury to Raimann or Travis, and if Tucker can get consistent snapping in the shotgun, he can fill in at guard and center. If the Colts keep nine, Luke Tenuta looks like the next tackle on the list, and either Jimmy Morrisey or undrafted free agent Geno VanDeMark might make it as centers.
Defensive line (10)
Laiatu Latu, DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Arden Key, Micheal Clemons, Colby Wooden, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Jaylahn Tuimoloau, George Gumbs Jr., Caden Curry
Indianapolis almost always carries a backup nose tackle behind Stewart, and the Colts have a pair of veterans, Derrick Nnadi and Jerry Tillery, on the roster right now. But Wooden’s experience playing the nose in Green Bay last season gives Indianapolis an option in an emergency, and Clemons has the versatility to play inside as a pass rusher, the way Tyquan Lewis and Dayo Odeyingbo have in the past. Gumbs has the kind of athleticism that often creates plays in both the preseason and special teams; Curry also has that kind of versatility.
Linebackers (5)
CJ Allen, Akeem Davis-Gaither, Bryce Boettcher, Jaylon Carlies, Austin Ajiake
Allen’s hamstring injury remains a concern, but defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has indicated the Colts will respond by deploying linebackers based on the situation. With that in mind, all five linebackers look like they could see time on defense, a rarity in today’s NFL.
Cornerbacks (6)
Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward, Justin Walley, Cameron Taylor-Britt, Mekhi Blackmon, Johnathan Edwards
Ward’s back injury could complicate the picture at cornerback if it lingers, but the team’s plans seem set. Gardner and Ward starting on the outside, Walley in the slot. Taylor-Britt, the former Bengal, is likely the next man up at either spot, with Blackmon as experienced depth and Edwards playing a key role as a gunner on special teams.
Safeties (5)
Camryn Bynum, A.J. Haulcy, Hunter Wohler, Jonathan Owens, Trey Washington
Anarumo likes to put three safeties on the field together enough that the top three at the position will all have important gameday roles on the defense. Owens looks like he’s in line to be the team’s personal protector, giving him a key role on special teams. Washington has made enough plays in training camp that he deserves a spot.
Specialists (3)
Blake Grupe, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes
The Colts clearly believe in both Grupe and Shrader, even though Shrader has been plagued by the persistent issue of pulling the ball left in training camp. But Indianapolis special teams coordinator Brian Mason can only choose one, and Grupe has the clear edge.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Projecting the Colts' 53-man roster with a surprise cut in the backfield