The Indianapolis Colts have unveiled their first depth chart, revealing their starting lineups ahead of the 2024 season.
The Indianapolis Colts will begin the 2024 regular season this weekend against the Houston Texans. The game at Lucas Oil Stadium will be an opportunity for the Colts to avenge their Week 18 setback to the AFC South winners last season.
With only five days until the regular season kickoff, the Colts issued their first unofficial depth chart. Let us inspect each side of the ball and see what shines out.
Offense
QB: Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco, Sam Ehlinger
RB: Jonathan Taylor, Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson
Z WR: Michael Pittman Jr., Ashton Dulin
X WR: Alec Pierce OR Adonai Mitchell
Slot WR: Josh Downs, Anthony Gould
Y TE: Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree
F TE: Kylen Granson, Will Mallory
LT: Bernhard Raimann, Blake Freeland
LG: Quenton Nelson, Danny Pinter OR Tanor Bortolini
C: Ryan Kelly, Danny Pinter OR Tanor Bortolini
RG: Will Fries, Dalton Tucker
RT: Braden Smith, Matt Goncalves
The Colts continue to treat Pierce and Mitchell as co-starters at the X wide receiver position. Both had productive camps and appear to have roles in the offense going forward. Pierce had two catches for 31 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals, while Mitchell had two catches for 18 yards and a touchdown.
Downs’ injury status will be evaluated throughout the week as he recovers from a high ankle sprain. If Downs is unable to play on Sunday, Mitchell will likely take over as the primary slot receiver. While Gould is listed as the backup, Mitchell has played the majority of the snaps in the slot for the starting offense since Downs’ injury.
Defense
Big End: Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu
LEO: Tyquan Lewis, Dayo Odeyingbo, Isaiah Land
DT: DeForest Buckner, Adetomiwa Adebawore
NT: Grover Stewart, Taven Bryan, Raekwon Davis
WILL: E.J. Speed
MIKE: Zaire Franklin, Segun Olubi
SAM: Jaylon Carlies, Grant Stuard
LCB: Jaylon Jones, Samuel Womack III
RCB: JuJu Brents, Dallis Flowers
NCB: Kenny Moore II
FS: Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas II, Trevor Denbow
SS: Julian Blackmon
The Colts’ defense is far more noteworthy than their offense. For starts, Cross has been officially declared the starter at safety alongside Blackmon. Expect the Colts to switch between Blackmon and Cross at safety depending on the situation and opponent.
Carlies, a rookie, has been named the starter at SAM linebacker. Carlies was frequently spotted alongside the starters as the Colts’ third linebacker when they were in base defense. Carlies brings a unique covering skill set to the linebacker group, having previously played safety at Missouri.
Womack makes his debut on the depth chart after the Colts obtained the cornerback off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers. The Colts hope that Womack can add depth to the cornerback position while also serving as a gunner on special teams.
Special Teams
K: Matt Gay
P: Rigoberto Sanchez
LS: Luke Rhodes
H: Rigoberto Sanchez
KR: Anthony Gould OR Dallis Flowers, Josh Downs
PR: Anthony Gould, Josh Downs, Dallis Flowers
Gay is recovering from a groin injury, according to head coach Shane Steichen, making his availability for Sunday’s game doubtful. If Gay is unable to play, Spencer Shrader from the practice squad will take his place. Shrader, an undrafted rookie out of Notre Dame, impressed throughout the preseason as a kicker and punter. However, in a game of this consequence against a divisional opponent, the Colts are hoping Gay will participate.
Gould was hired after the Colts tested out a number of returning players during training camp. The fifth-round pick will be one of the new kickoff returners and will also handle punt returns. The Colts hope Gould, a former All-American punt returner at Oregon State, will add an explosive element to the return game.