Bengals WR Jermaine Burton headlines 5 rookies making a preseason splash
Looking for sleepers? The rookie QBs dominated the weekend, but here are five non-QBs who made strong impressions in their NFL debuts.AUGUST 13
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 5-7 · 2ND IN AFC SOUTH
5-7 · 2ND IN AFC SOUTH
Next Game at Patriots · Sun 6:00PM
IND -2.5 TOTAL 42.5
When is the right time to start a rookie QB? Those who’ve made the call tell all
Of the six first-round QBs this season, some will start and some will sit. How do NFL teams decide? FOX Sports talked to coaches and execs p...AUGUST 13
Demetric Felton - Claimed by Indianapolis The Colts claimed Felton off waivers Monday.
Impact Felton was waived by the Bears on Sunday after he rushed for minus-one yard on one carry in Saturday's preseason game against the Bills. It didn't take long for the 2021 sixth-rounder to catch on with another team, and Felton will look to earn a spot on the Colts' 53-man roster as a depth running back. Indianapolis waived/injured Trent Pennix (groin) to make room on the training camp roster for Felton.
AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE
Ashton Dulin - Misses game with hamstring injury Dulin (hamstring) did not play in Sunday's preseason loss to Denver.
Impact Dulin missed practice Friday with a hamstring injury and the severity of the injury isn't clear. Dulin suffered a season-ending torn ACL back in August 2023, but had returned to practice at full speed at the start of training camp.
AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE
Joe Flacco - Plays one drive in Colts debut Flacco was 3-of-5 passing for 28 yards and played one series in Sunday's preseason loss to Denver.
Impact Flacco should get more work later in the preseason as the backup to Anthony Richardson. The reigning NFL Comeback Player of the Year is coming off an impressive showing with Cleveland last season, but will be strictly a backup in Indy. He gives the Colts a veteran capable of keeping the team afloat should Richardson go down.
AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE
Anthony Gould - Gets time with first-team offense Gould worked with the first-team offense as a receiver, but was not targeted with a pass in Sunday's preseason loss to Denver, the Indianapolis Star reports. He had five kickoff re...
Impact The 2024 fifth-round draft pick was seen mostly as a candidate for special teams as a star punt and kickoff returner, but has been working with the first-team offense in training camp at times as a receiver. He could take over the punt return job if Josh Downs misses regular season games due to a high ankle sprain.
AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE
Laiatu Latu - Three QB pressures in Colts debut Laulu had one tackle and pressured the quarterback three times in Sunday's preseason loss to Denver, but didn't play much on run downs, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Impact It was a promising debut for the 2024 first-round draft pick. Kwity Paye and Tyquan Lewis started at defensive end, but Laulu will also be counted on heavily, and perhaps more than initially expected, due to Samson Ebukam's season-ending Achilles injury.
AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE
Jonah Laulu - Three QB pressures in Colts debut Laulu had two total tackles and pressured the quarterback three times in Sunday's preseason loss to Denver, but didn't play much on run downs, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Impact It was a promising debut for the 2024 first-round draft pick. Kwity Paye and Tyquan Lewis started at defensive end, but Laulu will also be counted on heavily, and perhaps more that initially expected, due to Samson Ebukam's season-ending Achilles injury.
AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE
Alec Pierce - Starting role in preseason opener Pierce started at wide receiver along with Adonai Mitchell and Michael Pittman in Sunday's preseason loss to Denver. He didn't have a reception on one target.
Impact With Josh Downs sidelined with a high ankle sprain both Mitchell and Pierce should play significant snaps with Mitchell moving to the slot receiver role. Pierce and Mitchell are competing for the No. 3 receiver role, but the competition may be delayed if Downs misses regular season games. Pierce has underwhelmed in his two seasons with the Colts, averaging just 554 yards and two touchdowns a year, so there's some risk his role could decrease.
AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE
Jelani Woods - Plays first game since 2022 season Woods had one reception for 17 yards on two targets in Sunday's preseason loss to Denver.
Impact Woods saw his first game action since the 2022 season after missing the 2023 season due to injuries to both hamstrings. He's the most athletic of the Colts' tight ends and has the upside to emerge with a significant role in the passing game, but has been relatively quiet in training camp. It was good to see him make at least one big play as a result. However, it's not clear if the Colts will focus on one receiving tight end or split targets among a large group again.
AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE
Will Mallory - Two receptions in preseason opener Mallory had two receptions for 31 yards on two targets in Sunday's preseason loss to Denver.
Impact Mallory had missed time in training camp due to a sore hamstring, but looked back to full speed. He's competing with Jelani Woods, Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree for playing time in a deep tight end room that lacks a clear No. 1 option. Indy's first preseason game did little to sort the competition other than all five are healthy.
AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE
Sam Ehlinger - Modest output in preseason opener Ehlinger was 5-of-6 passing for 80 yards with an interception in Sunday's preseason loss to Denver. He also had one carry for four yards.
Impact Ehlinger looks set win the third quarterback role and may not see any regular season action if Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco are healthy.
AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE
Tyler Goodson - Scores TD in preseason opener Goodson had seven carries for 15 yards, including a one-yard touchdown, and had two receptions for one yard in Sunday's preseason loss to Denver.
Impact Goodson and Evan Hull are battling for the No. 3 running back role and had nearly identical stats (Hull had 8 carries for 16 yards and a one-yard touchdown). Goodson may have a slight lead in the competition game since he entered the game before Hull. The winner of the No. 3 role could have fantasy relevance if the Colts utilize a third-down back.
AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE
Evan Hull - Scores TD in preseason opener Hull had eight carries for 16 yards, including a one-yard touchdown, and one reception for 15 yards in Sunday's preseason loss to Denver.
Impact Hull missed all but one game last season due to a knee injury, but is fully healthy and competing for the third running back role. He was the fourth running back to enter the game as he may be slightly behind Tyler Goodson. Either Hull or Goodson could win a meaningful role as the third-down or receiving option due to their pass-catching ability. It's also possibly only one makes the roster as the Colts may just keep three running backs.
AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE
Trent Pennix - Suffers groin injury Pennix left Sunday's preseason loss to Denver due to a groin injury, 107.5 FM The Fan Indianapolis reports.
Impact Pennix is an undrafted free agent trying to win a roster spot on special teams. Pennix played both running back and tight end at North Carolina State. His versatility could be an asset in helping him make it to the NFL, but any injury could limit his chances.
AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE
Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts | 2024 Preseason Week 1 Game Highlights
AUGUST 11 • YOUTUBE
Broncos rookie Bo Nix outperforms veteran QBs in preseason debut
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix threw one touchdown pass and took Denver on long scoring marches in his first taste of NFL preseason action.AUGUST 11
Michael Pittman Jr. - One target in preseason opener Pittman didn't catch his only target in Sunday's 34-30 preseason loss to the Broncos.
Impact Pittman was the only wide receiver to earn a target from starting quarterback Anthony Richardson, as Richardson's other three passes during his two-drive stint in the game were all directed to tight ends. After racking up 296 catches for 3,159 yards and 14 touchdowns over the past three seasons, Pittman heads into 2024 as the clear No. 1 option in the Colts' passing game. He and the starters could see more action Saturday against the Cardinals in Indianapolis' next preseason game.
AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE
Adonai Mitchell - Catches pass from backup QB Mitchell caught one of two targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 34-30 preseason loss to the Broncos.
Impact Both of Mitchell's targets came from backup Joe Flacco on the third drive of the game, as the rookie wide receiver wasn't thrown to by Anthony Richardson on the first two possessions. Mitchell and Alec Pierce had been splitting first-team reps in training camp prior to Josh Downs' high-ankle sprain in practice Wednesday, which could open the door for both Mitchell and Pierce to play prominent roles early in the regular season alongside No. 1 receiver Michael Pittman. Mitchell will look to flash more of the skills that made him a second-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft when the Colts continue preseason play Saturday against the Cardinals.
AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE
Jonathan Taylor - Two carries in preseason cameo Taylor rushed twice for four yards and wasn't targeted in Sunday's 34-30 preseason loss to the Broncos.
Impact Taylor played the first two drives alongside starting quarterback Anthony Richardson, but the Colts understandably didn't give the workhorse running back many touches. While Taylor may continue to sprinkle in some carries throughout the preseason, including Saturday against the Cardinals, the Colts have little reason to put significant tread on his tires during the exhibition slate considering Taylor has handled 925 carries over the past four regular seasons and is in line for another high-volume campaign in 2024.
AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE
Anthony Richardson - Gets two drives in preseason opener Richardson completed two of four passes for 25 yards and rushed once for one yard in Sunday's 34-30 preseason loss to the Broncos.
Impact Richardson played the first two drives, which didn't result in any points for the Colts. While his performance in this preseason opener was nothing to write home about, it's nonetheless encouraging to see the 2023 fourth overall pick taking part in game action again after a shoulder injury ended his rookie season in Week 5. Richardson will look to shake off the rust in the Colts' next preseason game, Saturday against the Cardinals.
AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE
Rookie Bo Nix's strong NFL debut leads Broncos past Colts 34-30 in preseason opener
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix threw one touchdown pass and took Denver on long scoring marches to close the first half and open the second half as the Broncos won their preseason opene...AUGUST 11 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Blake Watson's rushing TD gets Broncos past 30-point mark vs. Colts
AUGUST 11 • YOUTUBE
