Indianapolis Colts

0-0Power Rank#220

AI Summary

The Colts enter 2026 trying to prove last season's collapse was an aberration after an 8-2 start unraveled into a seven-game losing streak once QB Daniel Jones tore his Achilles on Dec. 7. Jones, re-signed to a two-year, $88 million deal, heads into camp as the unquestioned starter, while Anthony Richardson Sr. and Riley Leonard compete for the QB2 job behind him. Indianapolis doubled down on its win-now approach by extending RB Jonathan Taylor and building around CB Sauce Gardner, acquired at the 2025 deadline for two first-round picks, even as it shipped longtime WR Michael Pittman Jr. to Pittsburgh. Oddsmakers have installed the Colts as modest AFC South favorites with a 7.5-win total, reflecting real optimism tempered by lingering uncertainty over Jones' health and a retooled receiver corps.

Researched by Team Research Desk · last updated August 20, 2026

Real Efficiency KPIs

Offensive EPA/play

+0.072

#9 of 32

Defensive EPA/play allowed

+0.004

#16 of 32

2025 regular season, 1011 offensive / 1101 defensive plays. Source: nflverse play-by-play (github.com/nflverse/nflverse-data), real 2025 regular season. This is a prior-season baseline — this team's 2026 numbers will replace it once real Week 1 plays exist.

Key Players (2025 production)

Leading Passer

Daniel Jones · QB

261/384, 19 TD, 8 INT

+65.3 passing EPA

Leading Rusher

Jonathan Taylor · RB

323 car, 1585 yds, 18 TD

+18.8 rushing EPA

Leading Receiver

Tyler Warren · TE

76/112, 817 yds, 21% target share

+15.8 receiving EPA

Leading Pass Rusher

Laiatu Latu · DE

8.5 sacks, 20 QB hits

Leading Tackler

Germaine Pratt · LB

66 solo, 59 assist

Leading Interceptor

Camryn Bynum · SAF

4 INT

Source: nflverse player stats (github.com/nflverse/nflverse-data), real 2025 regular season; team attribution updated for documented 2026 offseason trades. Prior-season baseline, not 2026 in-season stats.

Key Storylines

QB Daniel Jones, signed to a 2-year/$88M deal, is the unquestioned starter after tearing his Achilles on Dec. 7, 2025
Anthony Richardson Sr. and Riley Leonard are competing for the QB2 job; Richardson is still working through vision limitations from a freak pregame injury in Week 6 of 2025
WR Alec Pierce is ticketed for the No. 1 receiver role after Indianapolis traded Michael Pittman Jr. to Pittsburgh, but an offseason ankle injury has limited his camp reps
RB Jonathan Taylor signed a reported 2-year/$44M extension in August 2026 after the team's 8-2 start collapsed into a season-ending 7-game losing streak
CB Sauce Gardner, acquired from the Jets at the 2025 trade deadline for two first-round picks and WR Adonai Mitchell, anchors a retooled secondary alongside Charvarius Ward and Kenny Moore

Injury Report

Alec Pierce · WR
Limited
An offseason ankle injury has limited the presumptive No. 1 receiver for much of training camp.
DeForest Buckner · DL
Ramping Up
Working back gradually after neck surgery that cost him significant time in 2025.
Charvarius Ward · CB
Out
Back injury kept him from traveling for the preseason opener at New England.
DJ Giddens · RB
Out
Lingering hamstring injury following the preseason opener.
CJ Allen · LB
Out
Rookie linebacker's camp has been interrupted by two separate hamstring injuries.
Luke Tenuta · OL
Out
Knee injury suffered in the preseason opener against New England.