The Colts are entering Week 6 in far better shape than they were a week ago, and that matters because Tennessee is exactly the kind of opponent that should make Indianapolis look healthy on the scoreboard.
The one notable absence for Indy is Ashton Dulin, who will be out with a hamstring injury. Alec Pierce remains sidelined as well, and head coach Shane Steichen said Jaylon Carlies will also miss the game because of ribs.
Carlies and Dulin were out in Week 5 too, so those absences didn’t explain the loss to Pittsburgh. That one came down to the defense, which struggled again.
That’s where Sunday feels different. The Steelers can punish mistakes with real offensive firepower.
The Titans, by contrast, simply haven’t shown that kind of punch. Tennessee ranks 31st in the NFL in yards per play at 4.5, last in points scored with 58, 28th in quarterback rating at 77.2, and 27th in rushing yards per game at 82.6.
For the Colts, the injury outlook is good enough that they should be able to handle that kind of opponent. DeForest Buckner, Sauce Gardner, and Charvarius Ward are all healthy and set to play, and Indianapolis doesn’t have the kind of shortage on defense that would make this dangerous.
Tennessee will be without starting safety Kevin Winston Jr., but otherwise the Titans are mostly healthy. The bigger issue is the same one that has followed them all season: they just don’t have much talent.
They haven’t beaten an AFC South team since January 2024, and they haven’t beaten Indianapolis since October 2022. That’s a six-game winning streak for the Colts, with a chance to make it seven on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The numbers point in one direction, and the recent history points there too. This should be a get-right spot for Indianapolis, the kind of game that can steady the record and clean up the division picture.
As for Alec Pierce, there still isn’t a timetable for his return after he reinjured his heel. His absence could stretch until midseason, and the Colts are likely to face tougher tests than Tennessee before he gets back.
In Other News...
Colts Suddenly Have A Tyler Warren Concern Before Week 6
The Colts entered the weekend with a familiar kind of late-week uncertainty, and it landed on one of their most important young playmakers. Tyler Warren was added to the injury report Friday after getting hurt in practice, turning what had been a normal build toward Week 6 into a sudden concern for Indianapolis as it prepares for the next step in its schedule.
Warren is listed as questionable, which leaves the Colts waiting to see how much they can count on the tight end before kickoff. For a team trying to keep momentum, any late addition to the report is worth watching, especially when it involves a player who has quickly become a central part of the offense. [Read more 🡒]
Colts' Defensive Overhaul Is Creating A Problem Fans Feared
Chris Ballard spent the offseason trying to remake the Colts defense into something younger and faster, but the first month-plus of the season has brought an uncomfortable tradeoff. Through five games, Indianapolis has not gotten the payoff it was chasing, and the run defense has been a particular problem as opponents have found more room on the ground than they did a year ago.
Some of that comes with the territory when a roster leans harder on developing players, and the Colts are still sorting out how the new pieces fit together in real games. The concern for fans is less about the concept of the overhaul and more about whether the current personnel is sturdy enough to hold up against the run while the younger players continue to grow into larger roles. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Taylor Faces A Frustrating Test Colts Fans Can't Ignore
Jonathan Taylors start has been quieter than Colts fans are used to, with the running back averaging 3.9 yards per carry and ranking 23rd in breakaway rate, according to PFF. The bigger concern is how that production has fit into an offense still searching for rhythm through the air, because when the passing game is sputtering, defenses can focus more attention on Taylor and make every carry feel harder than it should.
The next test comes against Tennessee, and it shapes up as a tough measuring stick for the ground game. The Titans have been stingy against the run this season, allowing just 3.5 yards per rush, and the matchup puts even more pressure on Indianapolis to find cleaner lanes and better balance if it wants Taylor to get back on track. [Read more 🡒]