Can Scott Tolzien run the Colts offense in Andrew Luck's absence?
- You'll have a better idea of where the Indianapolis Colts are after Sunday's preseason opener against the Detroit Lions.
Well sort of.
The Colts are beat up on both sides of the ball and are expected to be without some key players against the Lions.
Center Ryan Kelly (foot), guard Joe Haeg (burner), safety Clayton Geathers (neck), linebacker Jon Bostic (finger), linebacker Antonio Morrison (groin), receiver Phillip Dorsett (hamstring) and of course quarterback Andrew Luck (shoulder) are likely out. There could be other injured players that could be ruled out along with some veterans who don't routinely get a lot of snaps in the preseason.
But there are other story lines to keep an eye on against Detroit.
The Scott Tolzien factor. The veteran will start at quarterback in place of the injured Luck. This game will be a better indicator of how well Tolzien can run the offense if Luck isn't ready for Week 1 at the Los Angeles Rams. The results so far through the first two weeks of training camp have been very mixed, and mixed is not a good thing when you factor in the importance of the quarterback position for the Colts because of the talented skill players they have. "There has been some good and some bad and you're always looking to improve," Tolzien said in describing his training camp so far.
A peek at the defense. The defense that takes the field against the Lions likely won't be the same defense that takes the field against the Rams. That's because they'll be without Bostic and Morrison and rookie Malik Hooker should be starting with veteran Darius Butler at safety by then. But that doesn't mean the defense gets a pass. General manager Chris Ballard used the offseason to try re-shape the defense. He talked about depth and competition on the roster, so here's an opportunity for other players to make an impression. Rookie Anthony Walker and Edwin Jackson are two candidates to start at inside linebacker in place of Bostic and Morrison. "I think we're all excited to see that entire unit together on defense," coach Chuck Pagano said. "It's starting to come together, to gel. Once those guys are on the same page, flying around, with the defensive line, I can't wait."
First glimpse at the rookies. Hooker, the team's first-round pick and second-round pick Quincy Wilson are projected starters, but both players will likely play with the second unit against the Lions. Running back Marlon Mack, who was selected in the fourth round, isn't expected to play after missing practice most of last week with shoulder injury. Linebacker Tarell Basham, despite the team's need for help in the pass-rush department, has gotten off to a slow start. Here's his chance to make up for his sluggish start.
- You'll have a better idea of where the Indianapolis Colts are after Sunday's preseason opener against the Detroit Lions.
Well sort of.
The Colts are beat up on both sides of the ball and are expected to be without some key players against the Lions.
Center Ryan Kelly (foot), guard Joe Haeg (burner), safety Clayton Geathers (neck), linebacker Jon Bostic (finger), linebacker Antonio Morrison (groin), receiver Phillip Dorsett (hamstring) and of course quarterback Andrew Luck (shoulder) are likely out. There could be other injured players that could be ruled out along with some veterans who don't routinely get a lot of snaps in the preseason.
But there are other story lines to keep an eye on against Detroit.
The Scott Tolzien factor. The veteran will start at quarterback in place of the injured Luck. This game will be a better indicator of how well Tolzien can run the offense if Luck isn't ready for Week 1 at the Los Angeles Rams. The results so far through the first two weeks of training camp have been very mixed, and mixed is not a good thing when you factor in the importance of the quarterback position for the Colts because of the talented skill players they have. "There has been some good and some bad and you're always looking to improve," Tolzien said in describing his training camp so far.
A peek at the defense. The defense that takes the field against the Lions likely won't be the same defense that takes the field against the Rams. That's because they'll be without Bostic and Morrison and rookie Malik Hooker should be starting with veteran Darius Butler at safety by then. But that doesn't mean the defense gets a pass. General manager Chris Ballard used the offseason to try re-shape the defense. He talked about depth and competition on the roster, so here's an opportunity for other players to make an impression. Rookie Anthony Walker and Edwin Jackson are two candidates to start at inside linebacker in place of Bostic and Morrison. "I think we're all excited to see that entire unit together on defense," coach Chuck Pagano said. "It's starting to come together, to gel. Once those guys are on the same page, flying around, with the defensive line, I can't wait."
First glimpse at the rookies. Hooker, the team's first-round pick and second-round pick Quincy Wilson are projected starters, but both players will likely play with the second unit against the Lions. Running back Marlon Mack, who was selected in the fourth round, isn't expected to play after missing practice most of last week with shoulder injury. Linebacker Tarell Basham, despite the team's need for help in the pass-rush department, has gotten off to a slow start. Here's his chance to make up for his sluggish start.
