The Indianapolis Colts are following a league-wide trend of sitting the starting units for the majority of the preseason, including Saturday’s matchup with the Chicago Bears.
Even though the starters won’t be playing at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, there are still a number of Colts that should be watched. With the roster competitions heating up over the next two weeks, a lot can be gained for players on the bubble.
Here are six Colts with the most to gain in the preseason matchup with the Bears:
WR Krishawn Hogan
Though he’s likely on the outside looking in entering the game, Hogan has done everything he’s needed to in order to stay in the minds of the coaches amid the crowded wide receiver competition.
An enticing blend of size, speed and athleticism, Hogan has had a strong preseason coming off of an equally solid training camp. Head coach Frank Reich has been pleased with Hogan’s production thus far.
“Yeah, Krishawn (Hogan) has done very well, very consistent. He’s very smart, really good hands, makes all the tough catches and has been productive,” Reich said Tuesday. “So he is doing everything he needs to do to make himself relevant in this competition.”
It might not end in a roster spot, but Hogan has the chance to make an impact in the position battle and grab a practice squad spot.
CB Chris Milton
A lot of the talk in the cornerback room has revolved around rookie Marvell Tell along with Nate Hairston and Jalen Collins. However, Milton shouldn’t be forgotten about either.
Even though his upside is limited as a defender, Milton is easily the best special teams contributor throughout the entire cornerback room. With the first four spots locked up in the room, no one has truly created separation for the final roles.
Because the starters will be sitting, Milton should continue to get plenty of playing time on Saturday. He can take advantage of it with a strong showing in coverage against the Bears.
DT Caraun Reid
There isn’t a whole lot of room left on the interior defensive line. Denico Autry, Margus Hunt and Tyquan Lewis have their spots locked down. Grover Stewart and Jihad Ward are favorites to claim the final spots in the room as well.
However, Reid has been an underrated performer for the Colts during the first two preseason games. He was in the backfield all day against the Cleveland Browns in the second preseason game and should see plenty of time on Saturday against the Bears.
If Reid is going to push for a roster spot, he must make the most of his snaps on Saturday. With the starters sitting, he can begin putting pressure on the coaches with a strong outing.
LB Zaire Franklin
It is likely the Colts will keep six linebackers on the roster, which means Franklin has a strong chance of making the cut. But he can earn a bigger role in the middle of the field with a strong performance on Saturday.
Though the base defense won’t be used as much, Franklin was the first-team SAM linebacker in the second preseason game against the Browns. He got the nod over Matthew Adams, the perceived starter at the position. With Ben Banogu working as a full-time defensive end, Franklin has a chance to expand his role in Year 2.
His special teams prowess gives him a good chance to make the roster but if he has a strong outing working in the middle of the field when the Colts are in base, it could help his case even more.
TE Ross Travis
It’s truly a coin flip as to which player holds the TE4 role entering Saturday’s game. An argument can be made for both Travis and undrafted rookie Hale Hentges. Both have impressed halfway through training camp.
However, because I lean more toward Hentges having the nod right now, Travis could be the one on the outside looking in. Though it is only by a fraction, Travis can continue his ascension in the room with another strong outing as a pass-catcher.
Jack Doyle and Eric Ebron aren’t going to play, which means Travis will have ample opportunity throughout the game to show why the offense needs to carry him as the fourth tight end.
WR Marcus Johnson
We start with a wide receiver, and we end with a wide receiver. The room is so crowded with talent that it is difficult to project who owns the final spots. Johnson is likely on the outside looking in for the final spot in the room, but he has shown a lot of promise in his game.
Though there is a higher chance he winds up on the practice squad, Johnson can make his case for a roster spot with a strong outing over the next two weeks. He’s been solid thus far in the preseason but if he can show more consistency catching the ball, he could make a name for himself in the competition.
The Colts wide receiver room is incredibly deep, but Johnson will have the chance to climb the depth chart on Saturday.
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