INDIANAPOLIS – Here are some areas of interest in the Indianapolis Colts’ preseason finale with the Bengals Thursday at Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium. Just to get it out of the way, the Colts are expected to play their starters into the second quarter while Cincy’s starters won’t play.
- Kickoff: 8 p.m.
- Broadcast: FOX59.
- Spread: Colts by 6½.
*History lesson: It’s just like old times. The Colts and Bengals meet in the final game of preseason for a 20th time and for the 29th time overall. They last shared the preseason stage in 2019 when the Colts stretched their win streak in the series to four games in Cincy. It was 13-6, remember? Chad Kelly was the starting QB, remember?
OK, never mind.
*For starters: Consider this the final tune-up for when the NFL starts keeping score for keeps. That would be the Sept. 8 opener against the Houston Texans. Shane Steichen expects to play his starters into the second quarter with some playing more than others. Anthony Richardson should get a strong dose – maybe 20-25 plays – and his playing time will be matched by the offensive line’s. Offensive starters who might play a tad less includes running back Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr.
Richardson and the front-liners were on the field for two series and seven plays in the opener against Denver, then didn’t play against Arizona.
No one should expect to see much creativity in Steichen’s game plan, but the offense needs to show more efficiency that it did in Tuesday’s joint practice with the Bengals. Richardson and the o-line were erratic most of the day.
Points of interest for us will be seeing how Steichen and coordinator Jim Bob Cooter work players in the slot with Josh Downs out – AD Mitchell? Kylen Granson? – and if anyone steps up as a reliable backup swing tackle. Blake Freeland needs a strong finish to the preseason. Also, this is the final opportunity for Evan Hull to further push Trey Sermon for the No. 2 spot behind Taylor. Sermon’s hamstring injury has opened the door for competition.
*Defensive issues: Stop us if you’ve heard this before, but the Colts still are trying to figure out their best safety combination. At varying points Tuesday, coordinator Gus Bradley had Nick Cross at strong safety and Julian Blackmon at free safety, then moved Blackmon to strong and replaced him with Rodney Thomas II. Ronnie Harrison Jr. remains in the mix.
“I mean, we’re looking at all those things,’’ Steichen said Tuesday. “The guy that makes the most plays (will play). We’ve got another week and a half before we start things off and we’ll make that decision when the time needs to be made.’’
Bengals coach Zac Taylor announced his starters won’t play Thursday, but that shouldn’t alter Indy’s approach. The objective: Be aggressive. When the front-line players are out there – we wouldn’t give too many reps to DeForest Buckner or Kenny Moore II – they need to harass and stuff anyone in different color jersey.
The pass rush was a strong point in the joint practice and we’re always interested to watch the steady progress of rookie Laiatu Latu.
*Cut to 53 looms: We’ve always believed the 53-player roster is essentially locked and loaded when the final preseason game rolls around. There might be a decision or two to make at certain positions – offensive and defensive depth, whether to keep an extra defensive back or linebacker to bolster special teams – but the coaching and personnel staff pretty much have seen what they’ve needed to see. Obviously, an injury or two in the final game can mess things up.
Rosters that sit at 90 must be trimmed to 53 by 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Pass rusher Samson Ebukam (Achilles) and tight end Jelani Woods (turf toe) probably will be placed on the injured reserve list, and Woods might be designated for a return during the season. It’s hard to imagine Ebukam making it back for December or January.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.