The Colts had one of those preseason nights that tells you plenty without meaning everything. After looking sharp in joint work against the Atlanta Falcons earlier in the week, Indianapolis came out flat in its second preseason game and got handled 34-6 by Kevin Stefanski's new-look Falcons.
That kind of result is exactly why preseason exists, but it also put a spotlight on the players fighting to stay in the picture. For several roster-bubble guys, this was the kind of performance that makes life harder, not easier.
Jaylahn Tuimoloau was one of the biggest letdowns. A rookie who was already buried in a veteran-heavy rotation last season, he still hasn’t turned his chances into anything meaningful.
He hasn’t created separation from Arden Key in camp, and this was his second straight preseason clunker. Backup offensive tackles have been able to stonewall him, and he still hasn’t shown much growth in his pass-rush toolbox.
A player once viewed as a first-round-caliber talent has become one of the most frustrating young names on the roster.
The kicking battle also took a hit for Blake Grupe. There has been no room for error in that competition, and Grupe did himself no favors after missing a 61-yarder in Week 1 against the New England Patriots and then missing a routine 36-yarder in Week 2.
Spencer Shrader, meanwhile, kept stacking makes and went 4-for-4 on his field goal attempts through two preseason games. Grupe can survive a miss from deep, but not a gaffe from that distance.
Riley Leonard didn’t seize the moment either. With Anthony Richardson also failing to lock down the QB2 job, the only clear takeaway right now is that the Colts would be in major trouble if anything happened to Daniel Jones.
Leonard started the game but didn’t show much against a backup defense, finishing with seven completions on his 4 attempts for 62 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, and a two-yard scramble. He never really looked like he had command of the offense, and he doesn’t bring the same elite athletic edge Richardson does.
C.J. Allen gets a little more grace because he missed important training camp reps with an injury, but the tape still wasn’t kind to him.
He had a rough outing, and one missed block even helped spring a big gain and a rushing touchdown. Through two preseason games, he’s looked hesitant and a step behind, second-guessing himself and losing more battles than he’s winning.
The tools are there, and the linebacker room is better than it was, but this was still a rough showing for a player who has more competition ahead of him than he probably expected.
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Jonathan Owens Colts Debut Brought Attention Fans Didnt Expect
Simone Biles showed up at the Colts preseason game Aug. 22 to back her husband, Jonathan Owens, as he took the field in his new uniform. The two were seen together on the sideline before the game, adding a little extra buzz to a night that was already about Owens making his latest stop in the NFL. For Indianapolis, it was another small reminder that even a preseason tune-up can carry a bigger spotlight when a player with a profile like Owens arrives.
Owens has already moved around the league during his career, and his Colts debut drew attention beyond the usual roster-watch crowd because of the presence of one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. Biles and Owens married in 2023, and their appearance together fit the moment well enough: a new team, a familiar support system, and a public glimpse of a relationship that has stayed visible as his career has kept changing. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Richardson Just Raised The Stakes In Colts Quarterback Battle
Two preseason games into the Colts quarterback evaluation, the backup spot behind center has become more than a depth chart exercise. Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard are competing for it, and Richardsons uneven play has kept the conversation going even as Indianapolis has already said he will stay on the roster for the season. The bigger picture still hangs over the situation, with Richardsons long-term future in Indianapolis looking far less settled than his place on the roster right now.
Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodd has made the teams preference clear, saying the organization wants three quarterbacks who can play, which only adds to the pressure on the battle unfolding over the next few weeks. Richardsons recent remarks have also suggested he may not be fully convinced the Colts are as confident in him as they want to be, and that tension gives this competition a different feel than a standard preseason fight for snaps. [Read more 🡒]
Why Colts Fans Can Finally Dream Bigger About 2026
A lot can still change before 2026, but the Colts have enough pieces on paper to make the conversation around their next step a little more serious than it was a few months ago. Daniel Jones remains the biggest swing factor, and his ability to stay healthy while settling into the offense will go a long way toward determining whether Indianapolis can turn optimism into something more tangible.
The other reasons for hope are harder to ignore. Sauce Gardner gives the secondary a true difference-maker if he can hold up for a full season, and Keenan Allen brings a veteran presence that should fit cleanly with a staff that already knows how to use him. None of it guarantees anything, but it does give Colts fans a real reason to look past simple improvement and wonder just how high this group could climb. [Read more 🡒]