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D. Jones has had some injuries, but the source notes that those who point to missed games should also consider his designation on some of those weeks he missed as a Giant; he was their QB of the future and they sat him when it was a questionable choice, suggesting injury history may be overstated.

Quarterback Anthony Richardson (illness) bounced back from illness this week and is clear to play Sunday, although will be a backup option at his position.

Wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) continued his week of limited practices but has not been given a game designation and is ready to go on Sunday against the Ravens; may be on a snap count to ease him back into game time speed.

Tight end Drew Pgletree (neck) returned to full practice participation after being limited in the prior practice; he is progressing well from his neck injury.

Quarterback Anthony Richardson was limited at practice due to an illness; his status for Sunday is relevant to fantasy considerations given the Colts' week 1 matchup.

Wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) remained limited at practice as he works back from offseason surgery; continued limited participation leaves his Sunday status uncertain, though there remains a chance for availability.

Tyler Warren is healing from camp bumps and bruises; the source indicates he is trending toward availability for the Colts' Week One game.

Josh Downs is healing from camp bumps and bruises; the source indicates he is trending toward availability for the Colts' Week One game.

Alec Pierce is expected to be ready for the Colts' Week One matchup against the Ravens; the source notes he should be available as the team trends toward good health.

Derrick Henry is the bell cow in the Ravens backfield; the source identifies stopping the dual threat of Henry and Lamar Jackson as the key to victory for the Colts, positioning Henry as a critical defensive matchup challenge.

Lamar Jackson is described as electric; the source notes that the Colts' defensive success on Sunday hinges on containing him, and that keeping him in the pocket will diminish his effectiveness.

Jonathan Taylor is the bell cow for the Colts; the source projects he will be too much for the Ravens defense to contain late in the game if the Colts establish the run game early, positioning him as a key offensive weapon in the matchup.

Tight end Drew Ogletree (neck) was a limited participant at practice during the Colts' Week 1 game week preparation against Baltimore.

Wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) was a limited participant at practice after missing nearly the entire pre-season due to a lingering heel injury that required surgery prior to training camp. Pierce has managed to participate in practices over the past week leading into Week 1. The source indicates Pierce is looking positive in terms of his availability for Sunday's game against Baltimore.

Seahawks QB who suffered a hip injury on the first drive of the season opener and did not return to the field; the source uses Darnold's one-series injury as a cautionary example of how rapidly QB situations can change in the NFL. The MRI results looked good, but the source emphasizes the injury could have been severe, illustrating the unpredictability of QB health and backup opportunity windows.

Colts starting QB with a documented injury history that makes it plausible he could miss time this season; the source states 'it simply seems to be his M.O.' and notes that if Jones gets injured, Richardson will be thrust into the spotlight. The source emphasizes Jones's injury risk is not guaranteed to be avoided, using Sam Darnold's one-series injury as a cautionary example of how quickly QB situations can change.

Backup QB for the Colts with opportunity contingent on starter Daniel Jones's injury history; the source notes Richardson saw his future with the Colts during the season opener and emphasizes he should be ready at a moment's notice, as QB situations can change rapidly (e.g., Sam Darnold lasted one series for Seattle). The source suggests Richardson's path to playing time is realistic given Jones's injury M.O., though ideally Richardson won't see much time if Jones stays healthy.

Tight end Drew Ogletree (neck) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice; no players have been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against Baltimore, though some injured players could theoretically begin the regular season on PUP and miss at least the first 4 games.

Wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice; no players have been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against Baltimore, though some injured players could theoretically begin the regular season on PUP and miss at least the first 4 games.

The source believes the Ravens' high Super Bowl odds (4th shortest) are primarily driven by expectations that Jackson will be healthy and return to MVP form, but argues this alone is insufficient for the Ravens to compete for championships given their offensive line concerns and defensive limitations.

Special teams returner Anthony Gould could be promoted ahead of Sunday's game for punt return duties as a more natural returner option, potentially to avoid placing starting slot receiver Josh Downs at greater injury risk.

Starting slot receiver Josh Downs may be at risk of injury if the Colts elect to use him for punt return duties; the source notes the punt return situation is fluid and the team is considering promoting special teams returner Anthony Gould to avoid placing Downs at greater injury risk.

Wideout Ashton Dulin is listed as one of the primary kick returners for the Colts.

2nd-year quarterback Riley Leonard is listed behind Anthony Richardson Sr. as the tertiary backup behind starter Daniel Jones.

Quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. is listed ahead of 2nd-year quarterback Riley Leonard as the primary backup behind starter Daniel Jones, as was already announced by head coach Shane Steichen.

2nd-year back DJ Giddens has been relegated to third-string running back, dropping behind rookie Seth McGowan on the depth chart.

Rookie running back Seth McGowan has earned the 2nd-string running back job behind star workhorse Jonathan Taylor; he is also listed as one of the primary kick returners.

Signed to Colts practice squad as undrafted rookie free agent originally signed by Tampa Bay; 6'3", 250-pound tight end converted from defensive lineman at Rutgers with 46 receptions, 373 receiving yards (8.1 yards per reception average), and 2 touchdown receptions over 17 games in past two seasons at the position.

Colts coach Shane Steichen confirmed Pierce is on track and will play in Week 1 opener against Baltimore Ravens; activated off PUP after ankle/heel surgery in March with recovery timeline always targeting Week 1 readiness; returns as lead wideout in Colts passing attack alongside Keenan Allen and Josh Downs for QB Daniel Jones, facing Ravens secondary ranked 30th in passing yards allowed (247.9 per game).

Warren benefited from Steichen's offensive scheme against the Chargers, receiving the ball in space via run actions designed to move the pocket; the source emphasizes Steichen's strategy to get the ball on the perimeter where YAC exists, with Warren specifically targeted on these plays to attack the flats and get linebackers running sideline to sideline.

Taylor ran the ball well against the Chargers in the prior matchup; however, the source expects Ravens DC Anthony Weaver and Jessie Minter to be much more intentional about stacking the box and dedicating resources to stopping Taylor in Week 1, suggesting tighter defensive focus and fewer light boxes early in the game.

Jones has been cleared from his achilles injury and reports from Colts camp indicate he has looked great; the source notes he was very efficient finding completions underneath and outside the hashes in the Chargers game film, demonstrating effective execution against quarters coverage.

Pierce is expected to be available for Week 1 after clearing injury protocols; the source reports that Alec Pierce should be a go for Week 1, supporting his Week 1 fantasy availability.

The source cites Sam Darnold as a historical example of a player who was thrown into a fire early in his career, burned out in his first stint, but went on to achieve greatness later; used as a parallel to illustrate that early career struggles do not preclude eventual success.

Richardson has claimed the backup quarterback role for the Indianapolis Colts after a tumultuous path marked by accuracy and injury concerns; the source frames this as a redemption story and notes he is one injury away from resuming the starting quarterback role, a scenario deemed unlikely five months prior.

Returns to team captaincy for the third time after previously serving as captain in 2022 and 2024 but not in 2025; described as the Colts' best offensive player, justifying his regained captaincy.

Named 2026 team captain for the second consecutive year, continuing his leadership role with the Colts offense.

Riley Leonard will open the season as the Colts' QB3 after losing a competitive offseason battle with Anthony Richardson for the backup role. Leonard and Richardson split second- and third-team reps throughout training camp and each received extended preseason playing time. The source notes Leonard looked like a quarterback who needs time during the preseason, showing flashes during the Texans regular season game last season but requiring developmental time. Keeping him as QB3 allows the Colts to develop him without rushing the process, and he still looks like a strong option for the long-term QB2.

Anthony Richardson has officially won the Indianapolis Colts' backup quarterback job, earning the QB2 role behind Daniel Jones after a competitive offseason battle with Riley Leonard. Richardson finished the preseason 21-of-33 passing for 249 yards. The source notes Richardson remains raw and inconsistent but is the more physically gifted and experienced option; if the Colts are forced to turn to a backup, Richardson gives them a player with starting experience, elite rushing ability, and a higher immediate ceiling. After requesting a trade in February, Richardson has stabilized his roster spot and remains one injury away from the field.

The source describes the QB as 'legit' and expresses confidence in his ability; the offense has experienced success and knows what it looks like, and the source believes it is repeatable rather than a fluke.