Indianapolis Colts: Five Players on Bubble Watch
By Dave McKee
Aug 5, 2015; Anderson, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano watches the Colts stretch during training camp at Anderson University. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The Indianapolis Colts preseason begins against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday August 16th. While many starters may not get the reps they would during the regular season, there are five players who will get their chance to make their mark Sunday if they want to remain a contender for the 53-man roster.
While Andrew Luck and many of the Indianapolis Colts starters may not play more than a series or two there are several players looking to set themselves apart from the competition. There are obvious players of note that will see action throughout the regular season.
Those players would be the recent free agent acquisitions like Frank Gore and Andre Johnson while others would be returning second-year players looking to make a leap in production like Donte Moncrief, Jonathan Newsome and Zach Kerr.
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However, for the sake of this article, we will focus on those who are on the bubble and competing to make the 53-man roster. Some are mired in a deep talent pool. Others are new additions – late-round rookies or undrafted free agents – or returning from injury riddled seasons getting their last shot.
Those on the bubble have more than just this preseason game to show out. But, the first preseason game is their greatest opportunity to shine with the majority of starters receiving limited time on the field. There are five players who will get their chance to make their mark Sunday.
Head coach Chuck Pagano acknowledged that the first and second team players will get some time on the field, likely a series or two, but “the young guys will play a lot.”