The Indianapolis Colts open their first preseason game of 2026 on Thursday against the New England Patriots, but the real goal in August is simple: get through it without losing anyone important.
That is especially true after the rough 2025 season, when Indianapolis was without players like Daniel Jones, Sauce Gardner, and DeForest Buckner for several games. In that kind of spot, the safest plan is the smartest one, and it starts with keeping a few core names off the field entirely.
Daniel Jones should not take a preseason snap. As the clear QB1, his work should come in practice and joint practices, which do more for a coaching staff than preseason games ever will.
The live reps should go to Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson instead. That battle for QB2 is worth watching, and it carries real weight if Jones gets hurt again.
It also matters because Richardson could become a surprising cut candidate at the end of August if he does not perform.
DeForest Buckner belongs on the sideline too. He has already missed some practices, but there is little reason to push him in games that do not count.
He has been around long enough to know exactly how to handle his role, and he is still the Colts’ best defensive lineman. Indianapolis needs him healthy more than it needs to see him in a preseason series.
The bigger question around Buckner is who steps in behind him and Grover Stewart. Colby Wooden has stood out for much of camp after arriving in the trade that sent linebacker Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers. After that, the depth chart gets shakier, which makes the preseason reps more important for everyone else in that group.
Tyler Warren should also stay out of harm’s way. The Colts’ tight end room has a clear split: the blockers and then Warren.
He can block, sure, but his real value is as a receiver, and that is what makes him such a big part of the passing game. The Colts traded Michael Pittman Jr., and Warren is expected to matter even more in his second season.
There is no reason to expose that kind of weapon to a meaningless hit. Let the backups fight for their spots and let Warren watch from the sideline.
In Other News...
Colts May Have One Last Chance To Salvage Anthony Richardson Value
Anthony Richardsons place in Indianapolis remains one of the more delicate storylines around the roster, especially with the quarterback room still sorting itself out. A recent trade proposal has put his name back into the conversation, suggesting the Colts could at least explore ways to preserve some value if he does not climb the depth chart the way they hope.
In that scenario, the idea would send Richardson to a contender looking for extra insurance at quarterback, with the thought that another team could view him as a developmental piece rather than a lost cause. For the Colts, it is the kind of move that would force an uncomfortable choice between patience and practicality, and it leaves open the bigger question of whether they are really prepared to move on this soon. [Read more 🡒]
Tyler Warren Just Changed The Feel Of Colts Camp
The Colts got a lively dose of good work during their joint practice with the Patriots, and tight end Tyler Warren was right in the middle of it. For a team still sorting through camp competition and building toward the regular season, a strong showing in a controlled setting can matter, especially when the offense is trying to establish rhythm and confidence against another defense.
There was also some reassuring news around the rest of the roster, with several players back on the field after injuries and general manager Chris Ballard clearing up the status of Alec Pierce. The attention now shifts to the preseason opener, where Indianapolis will get a first real look at its quarterback plan for game action, adding another layer to a camp that suddenly feels a little more settled, and a little more interesting, than it did a few days ago. [Read more 🡒]