The Indianapolis Colts’ depth chart looks a little different after a flurry of roster moves, and the changes start at wide receiver.
Indianapolis signed free agent receiver Darius Slayton, brought Anthony Gould up from the practice squad to the active roster, and placed Alec Pierce (heel) and defensive end Micheal Clemons (toe) on Injured Reserve. That’s enough movement to create some immediate reshuffling, especially on offense.
At quarterback, the order stays the same: Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson Sr., and Riley Leonard. Jones and Richardson have handled the active game-day roles, while Leonard remains the emergency QB3.
Running back also holds steady with Jonathan Taylor, Seth McGowan, and DJ Giddens listed. The Colts have been carrying only two active backs on game days, with Giddens a healthy scratch in Week 1 and technically out with a knee injury in Week 2.
The biggest shift comes at receiver. Laquon Treadwell is now listed at X and steps into a starting spot with Pierce sidelined.
Darius Slayton joins him there after signing this week and is expected to see his role grow as he gets up to speed. Keenan Allen, Ashton Dulin, and Deion Burks are listed at Z, while Josh Downs and Anthony Gould handle the slot.
Dulin has been dealing with an ankle injury and should return to a bigger role when he’s back. Burks could also pick up more work as a deep threat and gadget option.
Pierce will miss at least four games on IR, though the team still hopes to get him back at some point this season.
Tight end doesn’t change, with the Colts still working from the same group while Will Mallory remains on short-term IR. That group may be asked to do plenty on Sunday, especially in protection against Texans edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.
Up front, the line remains: Bernhard Raimann at left tackle, Quenton Nelson and Dalton Tucker at left guard, Tanor Bortolini and Sedrick Van Pran-Granger at center, Matt Goncalves and Jalen Farmer at right guard, and Jalen Travis and Luke Tenuta at right tackle. Tucker has been a healthy scratch in each game, while Van Pran-Granger and Farmer have mostly contributed on field goal team snaps.
On defense, Clemons’ move to IR opens the door for more snaps from Caden Curry. The Colts worked out several veteran free agents this week but did not sign any of them.
The defensive line now lists Arden Key, Jaylahn Tuimoloau, and George Gumbs Jr. at end, DeForest Buckner and Adetomiwa Adebawore at tackle, Grover Stewart, Jerry Tillery, and Tim Smith at nose tackle, and Laiatu Latu with Caden Curry on the other end. Gumbs has been inactive each week so far, but Clemons’ absence could push him into the lineup.
At linebacker, the Colts continue to rotate Jaylon Carlies, Bryce Boettcher, and Tahj Chambers at WILL. The team is also expected to give Allen more and more work as he gets more comfortable.
The secondary has a fresh look too. At corner, Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward Sr., and Cam Taylor-Britt are listed, with Justin Walley and Kapena Gushiken at nickel.
Ward left last week’s game early with a groin injury, which led to more snaps for Walley, Taylor-Britt, and Gushiken. He is questionable for Sunday, though he did increase his practice load during the week.
Safety has become a spot to watch. Cam Bynum and Jonathan Owens are listed at free safety, while A.J.
Haulcy and Hunter Wohler are at strong safety. Last week brought a bit more of a timeshare there: Bynum still played every snap, but Wohler logged 42 and Haulcy 37.
That didn’t happen in Week 1, so it’s fair to wonder whether this is the beginning of a longer-term change.
On special teams, Rigoberto Sanchez remains the punter and holder, Spencer Shrader is still the kicker, and Josh Downs, Ashton Dulin, and Anthony Gould are listed as punt return options. With Dulin still out, McGowan and Gould are set to handle kickoff return duties. There’s also a question at punt returner with Pierce out: do the Colts keep Downs safe and pull him off those duties?
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