The Indianapolis Colts are heading into Week 2 of the preseason today, Saturday, August 22, 2026, against the Atlanta Falcons, and things are already looking a little wild. After two days of joint practices with the Falcons earlier this week, Head Coach Shane Steichen made a pretty big call: the Colts starters are officially out. Yeah, you heard that right. None of the main guys are playing this game.
QBs Step Up While Starters Sit
So, with the starters riding the pine, this is a massive opportunity for some key players. Steichen announced that Riley Leonard is getting the nod to start under center, and then Anthony Richardson is coming in for the second half. This isn’t just a friendly exhibition, it is a real chance for these guys to prove what they can do. With the main squad sitting, you gotta wonder if Steichen is trying to protect his top talent or if he is just giving these backups a serious trial by fire. This game is on CBS4 local and streaming on FUBO, so fans will be watching to see how these young QBs handle the pressure.
Early Season Struggles Are Already Hitting Hard
But the QB competition is only one part of the story. The Colts have a bunch of positional battles heating up, and some of the early buzz is not good at all. They are still figuring out the backup running back, that crucial third wide receiver role, and even the starting defensive end spot opposite Laiatu Latu. They also have question marks at linebacker and strong safety. To make matters worse, reports are already saying the Colts’ wide receiver room received an unfavorable ranking heading into the season. An unfavorable ranking? That is tough news, especially with new receiver Keenan Allen on board. Even more concerning, their linebackers were hit with an NFL-worst verdict for 2026. NFL-worst! How do you even compete with that kind of start? Plus, there is a “potentially troubling trend” that emerged for the Colts during those joint practices against the Falcons. It sounds like there are some serious issues that need fixing, and fast.
This preseason game is kicking off at 1:00 PM ET, and it is going to be crucial. With all these positional battles, an “unfavorable ranking” for receivers, and the “NFL-worst verdict” for their linebackers, you know the stakes are high for everyone playing. We will see if Leonard and Richardson can light it up and if some of these young guys can step up and start turning those “troubling trends” around. The regular season is not far off, and the Colts need to show some serious improvement.
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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