5 Colts Who Must Bounce Back Big Against Chiefs

The Indianapolis Colts put up one of the worst Week 1 showings of any NFL team when they hosted the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday. Ultimately, Indy was dominated, losing 41-23.

Now, the Colts have an ultra-tough matchup heading into Week 2 when they face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football.

Considering that Kansas City just destroyed the Denver Broncos on Monday night, the Colts will have their hands full and must rebound in the biggest way.

However, these five Colts need to bounce back the most to give the squad the best chance to overcome adversity and get the victory at Arrowhead Stadium.

Let's begin.

Daniel Jones | Quarterback

Daniel Jones tries to find an open man downfield. — Sep 13, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It's fair to say that Daniel Jones was under fire nearly the entire game against Baltimore's defense. The Ravens were relentless with their blitz, and it paid off in spades.

#Colts QB Daniel Jones was the most pressured quarterback of Week 1, according to @NextGenStats.

Jones was pressured on 18 of his 34 dropbacks (52.9%) against the Ravens.
— Noah Compton (@nerlens_) September 14, 2026

Jones finished the game with 19/31 completions for 166 passing yards, one touchdown and one pick.

Jones couldn't generate any explosive throws and looked rusty in his first game since Week 14 of the 2025 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Now Jones will face off against one of the NFL's best defensive coordinators, Steve Spagnuolo, who will undoubtedly send missiles at the QB to see if he can handle it.

Yes, the offensive protection needs to be better, but Jones also has to weather the storm more efficiently than he did against Baltimore.

If he can right the ship, Indy's pass-catchers can make Kansas City pay dearly.

However, if he replicates what we saw against Baltimore, the Colts might find themselves behind quickly, which will force Jones to throw more and could make Jonathan Taylor less of a factor in the run game.

Justin Walley | Cornerback

Justin Walley celebrates after making a play on the field. — Sep 13, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Justin Walley (27) look on during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

I tried to avoid putting Justin Walley on this list since it was his first NFL regular season game. However, when looking at his performance against Baltimore, it was unavoidable.

Walley replaced Kenny Moore II in the slot during the offseason, and while he put up another excellent training camp and preseason, he was torched to a crisp by Zay Flowers.

"When the lights are on, that's when it's most important to do the small things and... I didn't do most of those small things right today"

I asked Colts CB Justin Walley what he learned following Sunday's loss to the Ravens. It was Walley's first regular season game in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/IAFgUCukuH
— Andrew Chernoff (@ADChernoff) September 14, 2026

Per Pro Football Focus, Walley finished with a miserable 40.7 coverage grade and allowed five catches on five targets for 93 receiving yards.

While I want to give Walley some slack, it's the NFL, and if you're replacing a franchise legend like Moore, you have to back it up and fill those massive shoes.

Walley will start again at the nickel position for Lou Anarumo against the Chiefs, and he must improve, or Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid will target him relentlessly in the passing attack.

Grover Stewart | Defensive Tackle

Grover Stewart walks off the field after a tough loss. — Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart (90) walks off the field with Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore (95) on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Grover Stewart has been a staple of the Colts' defensive line since 2017, and has been an excellent performer in the trenches since.

However, Stewart was a revolving door in the ground attack against Baltimore, and had the worst run defense grade of any Colts defender on Sunday, posting a sad 31.5 mark.

Fellow defensive tackle DeForest Buckner didn't fare much better (32.2), but Buckner at least pressured Lamar Jackson a team-leading six times.

Stewart will face Kenneth Walker III on Sunday night; things have to be cleaned up, or the Super Bowl LX MVP will put up another meteoric performance as he did against the Broncos (173 rushing yards, two all-purpose touchdowns).

Jaylon Carlies | Linebacker

Jaylon Carlies goes through drills during training camp practice. — Jul 30, 2026; Westfield, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Jaylon Carlies (57) participates in a drill on day two of training camp at Grand Park Sports Campus. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Colts' linebacking corps was utterly atrocious against Baltimore, and while Akeem Davis-Gaither could've easily landed on this list, Jaylon Carlies contributed almost nothing to the defensive effort.

Despite playing 42 defensive snaps, Carlies didn't record a single tackle, sack, turnover, or pass breakup on the day.

Carlies was also a liability in run defense and seemed lost on the field. If Carlies does get meaningful snaps again against Kansas City, he must elevate his run defense and be more involved on the field.

Statistics can be misleading, but logging zero metrics in 42 snaps isn't acceptable. After this type of performance from Carlies, Bryce Boettcher or CJ Allen could start or cut into his playing time.

We'll see if Anarumo decides to roll with Carlies again, or if he has other ideas to get different talent on the field for his struggling linebacker group.

Tanor Bortolini | Center

Tanor Bortolini looks on before the start of a game. — Indianapolis Colts center Tanor Bortolini (60) waits on the field Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, ahead of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Tanor Bortolini has seamlessly filled the shoes at center after franchise legend Ryan Kelly left for the Minnesota Vikings last year and subsequently retired.

Last year, Bortolini was excellent, but to start his third year with the Colts was a rough outing for the former Wisconsin Badger.

The Ravens didn't have their star defensive tackle, Nnamdi Madubuike, on the field due to the enforcer recovering from a neck injury suffered last year.

Despite this, Baltimore got the better of Bortolini.

Per Pro Football Focus, the center struggled, logging an overall grade of 42.8, pass-blocking of 51.2, and run-blocking grade of 40.7 (lowest on the team).

Bortolini will face the legendary Chris Jones on Sunday, so he has to clean things up after his messy Week 1 performance or risk getting the offense into trouble in what will already be a blitz-heavy attack from Spagnuolo.

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