Colts Unveil Depth Chart for Week 1 vs. Jaguars

We made it; the regular season is finally here.

The Indianapolis Colts stay home and host the AFC South division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium to kick off their 2023 campaign.

It's a tough gig right off the bat to take on the reigning division champion as the Colts are beginning a new era of football under head coach Shane Steichen and rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson. However, it's also an opportunity to make a good first impression.

Ahead of Sunday's matchup, the Colts have released their initial unofficial depth chart.

QUARTERBACK

Anthony Richardson, Gardner Minshew, Sam Ehlinger

No surprises here. The Anthony Richardson Era begins in earnest on Sunday. As we should expect to see throughout the season, Ehlinger will likely be designated as eligible to come in as an emergency QB for the Colts if Richardson and Minshew have to leave the game due to injury or disqualification.

RUNNING BACK

Zack Moss, Deon Jackson, Evan Hull

After breaking his arm during training camp on July 31, Moss has returned to the practice field and is nearing a return but may not yet be ready for Week 1. With Jackson and Hull as the only healthy backs, it's almost a certainty that either Jake Funk or Jason Huntley will be activated from the practice squad for gameday.

WIDE RECEIVER

X — Michael Pittman Jr.

Z — Alec Pierce

SLOT — Josh Downs, Isaiah McKenzie

As expected, Downs has officially overtaken McKenzie on the depth chart as the starting slot receiver. Similar to running back, wide receiver is bound to get an elevation from the practice squad for Mike Strachan, Juwann Winfree, Amari Rodgers, D.J. Montgomery, or Racey McMath.

TIGHT END

Y — Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree

F — Kylen Granson, Will Mallory

Alie-Cox and Ogletree will likely be counted on as the primary blocking tight ends while Granson is moved around to create advantageous situations.

OFFENSIVE LINE

LT — Bernhard Raimann, Ryan Hayes

LG — Quenton Nelson

C — Ryan Kelly, Wesley French

RG — Will Fries, Josh Sills

RT — Braden Smith, Blake Freeland

The starting five is a good group but injuries are the concern. Kelly, Fries, and Smith all missed some time this summer due to injury, so any of the backup group of Hayes, French, Sills, and Freeland could see their very first offensive NFL action on Sunday. As for planned playing time beyond the starting five, Freeland could be in line to be the extra blocker in jumbo sets.

DEFENSIVE LINE

DE — Kwity Paye, Tyquan Lewis, Jake Martin

3T — DeForest Buckner, Taven Bryan

NT — Grover Stewart, Eric Johnson II, Adetomiwa Adebawore

LEO — Samson Ebukam, Dayo Odeyingbo, Isaiah Land

This is a deep group so it'll be tough for coaches to decide who to make inactive on gamedays. It's good that the Colts prioritize speed and athleticism on the defensive line because the Jaguars can do plenty of damage with their own physical attributes on the outside.

LINEBACKER

WILL — Shaquille Leonard, Grant Stuard

MIKE — Zaire Franklin, Segun Olubi

SAM — E.J. Speed, Cameron McGrone

We'll see if Leonard is able to clear the concussion protocol in time to play on Sunday. If not, expect to see plenty of Speed alongside Franklin. Stuard would likely see a decent bump in defensive snaps as well.

CORNERBACK

CB — Darrell Baker Jr., JuJu Brents

SLOT — Kenny Moore II, Tony Brown

CB — Dallis Flowers, Jaylon Jones

It's quite a different-looking group than Week 1 of last season, but the youth movement is here. How many snaps do rookies Brents and Jones see?

SAFETY

FS — Rodney Thomas II, Trevor Denbow

SS — Julian Blackmon, Nick Cross

It'll be interesting to see if defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and defensive backs coach Ron Milus find a role for third safety Cross yet or not, or if he'll have to wait for injuries ahead of him to get on the field for defensive snaps.

SPECIAL TEAMS

P — Rigoberto Sanchez

K — Matt Gay

H — Rigoberto Sanchez

LS — Luke Rhodes

KR — Dallis Flowers, Isaiah McKenzie, Josh Downs

PR — Dallis Flowers, Isaiah McKenzie, Josh Downs

The Colts may decide to tinker with the return specialists a bit, as Flowers is a starter who should see significant snaps on defense, so risking him on special teams may not be something the Colts want to do full-time. McKenzie makes the most sense, although Flowers and Downs may be more skilled.

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