The Indianapolis Colts (7-8) are visiting the Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10) for the regular-season finale on Sunday at TIAA Bank Field.
As the regular season comes to an end, the Colts will have plenty of decisions to make when the offseason arrives. Among them includes who to re-sign and which players to let walk into free agency.
Here are five Colts who may be playing their final game for Indy on Sunday:
TE Eric Ebron
So technically Ebron won’t be playing on Sunday, but there is a chance he doesn’t return to Indy this offseason. After a career season in 2018, Ebron’s production dipped massively in 2019. Then he elected to have surgery on both of his ankles, which ended his season.
The Colts have shown that they love Ebron’s talent as a move tight end, but there is a chance they look to more of a consistent option as a pass catcher to work alongside TE1 Jack Doyle. Ebron is still a talented tight end, but his injuries and reduced role in 2019 could be reasons he doesn’t return.
K Adam Vinatieri
Another player that isn’t actually playing on Sunday, Vinatieri’s historic time with the Colts could be coming to an end once the game concludes. Though the Colts have given their support to the 47-year-old, he showed in 2019 that his consistency has left him.
In Vinatieri’s absence, rookie Chase McLaughlin has shown that he should be the first one to get a crack at succeeding Vinatieri, who missed a combined 14 kicks in 2019—the most of his career and the third-most in a season all-time.
It has been a wonderful career for Vinatieri, but it is time for the Colts to move on.
OT Le’Raven Clark
The Colts have an interesting issue on their hands for this upcoming offseason. Starting left tackle Anthony Castonzo is set to hit free agency, but Chris Ballard would be insane to not lock him up to a short extension.
With that, the backup left tackle in Clark is also set to hit free agency as his rookie contract comes to an end. The former third-round pick hasn’t been great when seeing playing time, but he is the only backup left tackle the Colts have on the roster.
Regardless, the Colts could begin to look for Castonzo’s successor in the draft this offseason, which could mean the end for Clark in Indy.
DT Margus Hunt
Hunt signed a two-year extension before the 2019 season but he can be cut without any dead cap before the 2020 season. Though he provides a veteran presence on the defensive line, Hunt simply didn’t enjoy the same type of success as he did in 2018.
Hunt has played 42.2% of the defensive snaps this season. There is a good chance the Colts look to go younger at the one-technique, which is where Hunt was seeing most of his playing time. With Grover Stewart emerging and Tyquan Lewis needing to prove he was worth a second-round pick, Hunt could be on his way out from Indy with one year left on his contract.
S Clayton Geathers
This is all but a guarantee at this point. Geathers has meant a lot to the Colts from a locker room and leadership standpoint. However, his play in the secondary is a liability and his injuries keep him from playing at his highest level.
The Colts know who the future is at the safety position. That falls on the shoulders of Malik Hooker and Khari Willis. Geathers has seen his snap counts drop dramatically when everyone in the safety room is healthy. His increasing age and injury history, plus his skill set being phased out are likely going to spell the end for the veteran Geathers.
