The Indianapolis Colts finished their 2024 preseason 2-1, including a 27-14 victory over the Bengals.
The Indianapolis Colts finished their 2024 preseason with a second straight victory, this time versus the Cincinnati Bengals 27-14. With only the regular season ahead for Indianapolis and a youthful roster, it’s time to assess the positives and negatives of the 2024 preseason finale.
The Good | Adonai Mitchell
Colts rookie pass-catcher Adonai Mitchell played only 24 snaps against Cincinnati but made significant plays when he was on the field. Mitchell caught two catches for 18 yards and scored the game’s only receiving touchdown for Indianapolis.
The @Colts opening drive đ„
Anthony Richardson goes 7/8 for 65 yards and finds rookie WR Adonai Mitchell for the TD! pic.twitter.com/Bp3IvzZEX1
— NFL (@NFL) August 23, 2024
Mitchell was also targeted four times, but quarterback Anthony Richardson’s miscues and inaccuracy limited him to a few catches. While the offense had its highs and lows throughout the game, Mitchell’s moments and touchdown were among the greatest. With so much promise in a Shane Steichen offense, 2024 will be an intriguing debut NFL season for the former Longhorns standout.
The Bad | Clay Fields III
Clay Fields III, a cornerback who hopes to make the squad, had a terrible effort in only 11 defensive snaps. According to Pro Football Focus, Fields had a 28.1 overall defensive grade and a 35.8 coverage rating. He also allowed the Bengals’ sole offensive touchdown to wide receiver Jermaine Burton. While it was late in the game, Fields had an opportunity to shine but was swiftly overrun.
Jermaine Burton continues to impress with a nice TD:
— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) August 23, 2024
It could be enough to help Indianapolis decide his destiny when roster cuts occur. However, there is a chance that Indianapolis keeps more cornerbacks on the roster for depth ahead of the 2024 season. We’ll see what happens after a difficult evening for Fields.
The Good | Ronnie Harrison Jr.
Ronnie Harrison Jr., a veteran safety, pushed his claim to the 53-man roster with a strong performance to end the preseason. Harrison took advantage of the opportunity to demonstrate his supremacy on the field, despite the fact that his opponents were not starters.
Harrison finished the day with a respectable coverage grade of 73.8. He also led Indiana in tackles with five (one for a loss). While it’s evident that the Colts’ coaching staff prefers Julian Blackmon and Nick Cross as starting safeties, Harrison will remain a veteran leader for Gus Bradley’s stoppers.
The Bad | Taven Bryan
Taven Bryan, a depth defensive tackle, was a questionable re-signing from Indianapolis in the 2024 offseason (one-year, $2 million above the cap). This is due to Bryan’s dismal performance in 2023, when he came in for suspended starter Grover Stewart and showed little in pass-rush or run defense, becoming a liability rather than an asset.
Fast forward to the Bengals’ preseason game, and nothing has changed for Bryan. Bryan only played six defensive snaps, but he was easily demolished by the opposition ground attack. Don’t be surprised if the Colts cut their losses on Bryan when the roster needs to be pared down.
The Good | Tyler Goodson
Jonathan Taylor, the Colts’ star running back, will command nearly all of the attention in the backfield. However, Steichen requires more weaponry to assist Taylor in some scenarios. Trey Sermon’s hamstring injury created possibilities for Evan Hull, Zavier Scott, and Tyler Goodson to take on additional work. After three preseason games, Goodson was the standout performance.
2 minute warning with the Colts driving, tied 7-7. Tyler Goodson and Evan Hull have carried the drive for Indy. Some nice runs by both.
— Andrew Moore (@AndrewMooreNFL) August 23, 2024
Goodson led the way for Indianapolis on the ground, with 57 rushing yards and a respectable 4.4 yards per carry average. He also made 13 attempts and caught two passes for ten receiving yards. With the Houston Texans’ regular season start less than two weeks away, Goodson has made the running back committee approach behind Taylor more interesting.
The Bad | Anthony Richardson
Richardson, the Colts’ second-year quarterback, opened Thursday’s game as hot as a field general could, going 7/8 on the first drive and finishing with a Mitchell touchdown.
However, Richardson then went 1/6 following and appeared chaotic beneath center. One of the most egregious errors was an interception due to a misunderstanding with experienced tight end Kylen Granson. The play culminated in a defensive touchdown, with Richardson’s back almost against the end zone.
Jordan Battle (1)*
Cincinnati Bengals
14 yards, Pick Six pic.twitter.com/3nP7mVpIcN— NFL TD Videos (@NFLTDsVideos) August 23, 2024
Richardson had the most action since suffering a season-ending AC joint injury in week five of 2023 against the Tennessee Titans, so there were sure to be a few misfires. Steichen understands what to expect and how to bring Richardson up to speed as a quarterback, so while this piece deserves a ‘poor’ classification, it’s a little blip in the big picture.
Richardson has demonstrated the ability to compensate for mistakes on the football field, something that many professional quarterbacks are unable to accomplish once they accumulate. The Indianapolis team is finally ready for the regular season and will prepare for the C.J. Stroud-led Texans in Week 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium.