Indianapolis

Colts

Alie-Cox was one-of-three Colts tight ends to play in the first-team offense, side-kicked by Kylen Granson (who caught 1-of-2 targets for six yards) and Andrew Ogletree (zero targets). Alie-Cox made the most of his meager opportunities, dazzling with an explosive, 15-plus-yard pass play that featured one missed tackle forced. The unit should be avoided for re-draft purposes.

Mitchell started in place of injured slot receiver Josh Downs (high-ankle sprain), though Mitchell was curiously subbed out for fellow rookie Anthony Gould on third downs, as noted by PFF’s Nathan Jahnke. Mitchell promisingly logged perimeter snaps opposite Alec Pierce in 12 personnel with the second-team offense. Gould averaged 22.0 yards per return on three total kickoff returns.

Pierce was the Colts’ starter opposite Michael Pittman Jr. and played an extra drive after the first-team offense was benched. He logged 11-of-13 snaps lined up on the perimeter.

Pittman’s day was largely unremarkable as the Colts wisely benched their star wide receiver after two offensive drives. He took six-of-seven snaps lined up out wide and lined up in the slot for the seventh. His 5.0-yard aDOT is largely in line with his typical short-to-intermediate-depth usage.

Taylor found little room to run, averaging -1.5 yards before contact on the day. He received three-down usage though, remaining on-field for each of the first-team offense’s third downs and logging five total receiving snaps.

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of Richardson’s showing was his lone rushing attempt; a short scramble to the sideline that picked up one yard. The move helps somewhat assuage concerns over Richardson’s willingness to run after suffering a season-ending, Grade 3 AC joint sprain as a rookie in 2023.

Sermon was seen entering the medical tent early in the contest but managed to play during the Colts’ third drive with the second-team offense. He was eventually ruled out with roughly 12 minutes remaining in the second quarter but the injury seemingly occurred well before that, potentially indicating only a mild strain. Sermon was attempting to lockdown the Colts’ No. 2 RB role but an extended absence could jeopardize his position. He caught 1-of-1 targets for 12 yards, picking up a first down in the process.

This will be our first look at Richardson in a game environment since his rookie campaign ended in Week 5 against the Titans. When he was healthy, Richardson flashed elite potential, displaying a rocket arm and an elite ability to move the ball on the ground. In the two complete games he played, Richardson rushed for 96 yards and three touchdowns and had a rushing line of 25-136-4 in total. The fantasy upside he displayed was that of an overall QB1, but how he’s recovered from his shoulder surgery will determine how far he can carry the Colts and his fantasy managers this season. By all accounts, reports of Richardson’s health have been encouraging in camp. We’ll likely get an extended look at Richardson later in the preseason, but Sunday will be a good first test for him.

According to Boyd, Gould “has flashed more as a receiver than as a returner during camp.” The rookie fifth-rounder made a name for himself as a returner during his time at Oregon State, but with Downs sidelined for multiple weeks, there’s now a hole that needs to be filled at the slot position. Gould blazed a 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine this spring and totaled 44-711-2 in his final season of college. He played just 33.5 percent of his college snaps from the slot but had a 90.5 percent slot rate in 2021. We wouldn’t expect Gould to offer much fantasy upside, but this is worth monitoring as the team figures out a temporary replacement for Downs.

In a post to his Instagram, Foles, a former third-round pick of the Eagles in 2012, has opted to call it quits. The veteran quarterback didn’t play an NFL snap in 2023, but he is most remembered for his run as the Eagles’ starter during the 2017 season when he stepped in for an injured Carson Wentz and led the team to an unprecedented Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl LII. During that three-game playoff stretch, Foles threw for 971-6-1 while completing 72.6 percent of his passes. He was on the receiving end of the famous “Philly Special,” which helped give the Eagles a 22-12 lead over the Patriots before halftime. A journeyman quarterback who spent time with six different franchises over his career, Foles is also one of nine quarterbacks to throw for seven touchdowns in a game, which he did during a Week 9 contest against the Raiders. Foles retires with a career 29-29 record while throwing for 14,227 yards and 82 touchdowns.