There were some takeaways from the Colts preseason Week 1 home loss, but I’m not sure we learned a lot yet.

The Indianapolis Colts narrowly fell to the Denver Broncos, 34-30, during Sunday afternoon’s preseason opener at home.

While there wasn’t a whole lot to glean from this one, there were at least a few takeaways:

• Richardson Rusty. Having not played since Week 5 of 2023, Colts 2nd-year starting quarterback Anthony Richardson initially looked a bit rusty, completing 2 of 4 pass attempts for 25 total passing yards before sitting out the rest of the game as planned. However, he and the Colts first-team offense looked a little more comfortable during their 2nd series.
• Lack of running game. Colts undrafted rookie quarterback Jason Bean, who’s admittedly pretty mobile, led the Colts offense with 24 total rushing yards. No Colts running back averaged more than 2.1 yards per carry on the afternoon.
• Colts running back depth being tested early. The Colts lost 2nd-string running back Trey Sermon to a hamstring injury in this one before halftime, and undrafted rookie Trent Pennix followed suit with a groin injury during the second half. Both backs were later ruled out.
• Micah Abraham with the ‘Play of the Day.’ A Colts rookie 6th round pick, Micah Abraham, may have had the best play of the afternoon when he recovered a fumble and took it 45-yards the other way to pay-dirt with a little under 7 minutes in the 3rd quarter. At Marshall, the undersized corner showed a knack for finding the football and generating turnovers.
• Short, But Sweet. Backup running backs Evan Hull and Tyler Goodson each added 1-yard touchdown runs in this one. Not sexy, but that’s a standard 6 points if you’re playing fantasy preseason football and you’re in a deeeeeeep enough league to warrant rostering either. Anyone?
• AD Mitchell, Slot Receiver? With starting slot Josh Downs sidelined for at least the next few weeks, it was rookie AD Mitchell who was “the next man up” in the slot. Playing outside, he would later have a nice 11-yard completion from veteran quarterback Joe Flacco with the 2nd-team offense—and showed some impressive separation in the process.
• Up-and-Down Day for Matt Gay. Colts kicker Matt Gay made a 35-yard field goal with around 3 minutes left in the first quarter; however, he’d later miss a 54-yard field goal attempt wide left during the early second quarter—granted it was a very LONG attempt. I’m not worried yet, but Gay does want to rebound following a somewhat erratic Indy debut after Colts general manager Chris Ballard made him the highest paid kicker in football just an offseason ago.
• Backup Quarterbacks with Turnovers. Sam Ehlinger was picked off at the Denver 16-yard line by the Broncos Keidron Smith late in the 2nd quarter following a Colts defensive takeaway—which was a fumble recovery by cornerback Chris Lammons. Much later on, Bean was strip-sacked at the Colts’ 23-yard line near midway in the 4th quarter.
• Treadwell Touchdown. Veteran journeyman, and former first round wideout Laquon Treadwell caught a 16-yard touchdown reception from Bean with around 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter. The Colts would not get the ball back offensively again.
• Lack of Pass Pressure. For what it’s worth, during limited initial snaps, rookie Colts first round pick Laiatu Latu was consistently generating pass pressure—and was even doubled at some points. However, the Colts defense didn’t have a single sack in this one.
• No Brents, Nor Buckner. Both veteran Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and 2nd-year cornerback Julius Brents sat this one out for “rest” reasons—although the latter is reportedly battling a slight shoulder injury as well. There’s really nothing to gain by having Buckner play, and quite frankly, he has nothing to prove out there. However, Brents is a young cornerback who like other young players (especially after he was limited by injuries somewhat as a rookie) that could really benefit from some extra initial snaps in preseason.
• New Lucas Oil Turf Shines Bright. See for yourself! The Colts installed brand new football turf following the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials Indy hosted earlier this summer. Not only does the turf look sleeker, but it should also help better improve player safety.