The Week 1 opener against the Baltimore Ravens delivered a brutal dose of reality for some of the Colts’ 2026 rookie class, especially for safety AJ Haulcy. This dude, fresh off returning to practice just last week, was thrown right into the starting lineup next to Cam Byum and got a serious trial by fire, logging a hefty 67 defensive snaps. You gotta respect that hustle right out of the gate, especially when he was a reliable tackler out there, which is exactly what you want from a rookie. BUT, and this is a massive ‘but,’ he got absolutely burned for a massive 54-yard touchdown pass to Zay Flowers. Haulcy was credited with allowing two receptions for a total of 64 yards, with that deep bomb being the absolute gut-punch. That’s a Week 1 moment he’s gonna want back, no question.
Highs, Lows, and Bench Warmers
While Haulcy had his rough moments, it wasn’t all bad news for the rookies trying to make an impact. Linebacker Bryce Boettcher actually got rotated into the defense, playing 23 snaps on that side of the ball, plus another 15 on special teams. He stacked up five total tackles and two stops, showing he’s ready to jump into the action. He did allow 17 receiving yards on one reception, but those five tackles in limited defensive work are a solid start. Then you’ve got Seth McGowan, the RB2, who only saw six offensive snaps and didn’t even get a carry, reeling in just one reception for zero yards. Talk about being underutilized! But get this: he also played seven special teams snaps and totally blew up on kick returns, averaging a wild 32.8 yards on five attempts. That’s serious juice and could be his ticket to more playing time. On the flip side, defensive end George Gumbs Jr. was a total no-show, inactive for the game. Caden Curry, another defensive end, played only three defensive snaps but got a hefty 20 special teams snaps across four different phases, grabbing one tackle. His special teams play was clearly the key factor in him suiting up over Gumbs.
Waiting for Their Shot and Learning the Ropes
Some of these rookies are definitely still in the ‘earning their stripes’ phase. Linebacker CJ Allen didn’t even sniff a defensive snap in Week 1. Akeem Davis-Gaither and Jaylon Carlies were the starters, with Boettcher getting the rotation reps. It looks like the time Allen missed early in training camp might have played a role in that. Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo isn’t sweating it too much, though, saying, “CJ is getting better every day, so I am not down on him at all. He’s a rookie. It takes some time, especially at his position, but he’s really progressing the way we want to and every day he gets better physically.” That’s a vote of confidence, but man, you gotta want to see those defensive snaps! Guard Jalen Farmer is the first guy off the bench at his position, but he didn’t get any offensive snaps, only playing four on the field-goal-kicking unit. And wide receiver Deion Burks didn’t see any offensive action either, playing six special teams snaps on both kick and punt coverage.
It’s just Week 1, but these debuts set the stage for what’s ahead. Can Haulcy bounce back from that huge blown coverage next game? Will Allen finally crack the defensive lineup? Colts fans better keep a close eye on these young guys; their development is going to be absolutely crucial as the season rolls on.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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