Indianapolis, IN

PFF projects Indianapolis Colts’ starting offense for 2025 season

Published

11 months ago

June 1, 2025

PFF projects Indianapolis Colts’ starting offense for 2025 season

We have a long ways to go before decisions have to be made, but PFF has projected what the Colts’ starting offense will look like in 2025.

We have a long ways to go before roster decisions have to be made and starting lineups have to be constructed, but Pro Football Focus has taken an early swing at projecting who will be starting and playing key roles on offense for the Indianapolis Colts.

The quarterback competition will draw a lot of eyes during training camp and the preseason, but there is also playing time up for grabs along the offensive line and at the backup running back spot.

Here is how Pro Football Focus sees things shaking out for the Colts.

Quarterback: Anthony Richardson

As Shane Steichen has described, Richardson and Daniel Jones will be splitting starting reps throughout the summer, and ultimately, it will be the most consistent of the two who wins the job.

For both the 2025 season and beyond, it’s clearly in the Colts’ best interest that Richardson takes control of the competition. As the younger, higher upside player, the ceiling for this Colts’ offense is greater with Richardson under center.

Steichen and Chris Ballard believe that the competition will elevate the play of both Richardson and Jones. While not an apples-to-apples comparison, after returning from being benched last season, we did see improved play from Richardson, which included leading two fourth-quarter comebacks.

A main focus for Richardson this offseason has been on his footwork, which is where accuracy begins at the quarterback position.

Running back: Jonathan Taylor, Khalil Herbert

We know that Taylor will shoulder the workload at the running back spot, but the backup role is one where Ballard said the Colts need more production this season. So of note, PFF has Herbert listed as the backup over Day 3 draft pick DJ Giddens.

Herbert, who has been in the NFL since 2021, has experience on his side, while Giddens showcased his big-play abilities at Kansas State, which included averaging 6.5 yards per carry in 2024 and generating the 15th most rushes of 10 or more yards. However, like any first-year player, Giddens will be navigating the learning curve that comes with making the jump to the NFL level.

The Colts’ offense would also benefit greatly if one of Herbert or Giddens can carve out a role as a pass-catcher and add that element to Shane Steichen’s playbook, creating another dimension for defenses to contend with. This is an area where Giddens may have the upper hand.

On paper, there will be a backup running back, but I’m guessing right now that we’ll see both Herbert and Giddens this season, although how that playing time breaks down between the two remains to be seen.

Wide receiver: Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce

No real surprises here. We will also see AD Mitchell in the mix, but a big part of the equation when it comes to him earning more opportunities is showcasing more consistency. However, with three well-established players on the depth chart ahead of him, along with the Colts now having Tyler Warren at tight end, they aren’t exactly hurting for snaps, especially with how little four wide receivers are utilized at one time in this offense.

“That next step is like, alright, let me learn my role, let me focus on the things I can control and move from there,” said Reggie Wayne about Mitchell. “He’s backing up Alec right now. I mean, you can’t throw Alec away. Alec just had a great year. Just coming in understanding, and understanding your place, but when your number is called, let’s make sure we hit a home run and not just a base hit.”

Tight end: Tyler Warren

Again, no surprises here. The rookie will immediately step in and be a top option at this position. But we will still continue to see a fair amount of Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree as well. Two tight end sets were the Colts’ second-most utilized personnel grouping last season.

Offensive line: Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith

I’m assuming that this is the configuration that everyone expects to see. Offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. has said that Bortolini is competing with Danny Pinter at center, and Goncalves is competing with the other guards on the roster–likely Dalton Tucker and Josh Sills–but the expectation is that Bortolini and Goncalves will win those jobs.

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Indianapolis, IN

Pirates farm report for April 18, 2026: Rafael Flores Jr. hits 1st homer in Indianapolis win

Published

6 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Pirates farm report for April 18, 2026: Rafael Flores Jr. hits 1st homer in Indianapolis win

INDIANAPOLIS (Triple A, 6-14) thumped Omaha (Royals), 11-3. 1B Rafael Flores Jr. (.206) went 2 for 3 with a double, his first home run, two runs scored and three RBIs. LF Tyler Callihan (.239) went 3 for 4 with a double and his first homer, a two-run shot. DH Enmanuel Valdez (.273) went 2 for 4 with his first homer and three runs scored. RF Esmerlyn Valdez (.258) went 2 for 5 with two doubles and a run scored. SS Davis Wendzel (.269) went 1 for 3 with a double, two walks, two runs scored and two RBIs. RHP Carson Fulmer (2-0, 5.51) started, gave up three runs on three hits in five innings and earned the win. RHP Chris Devenski (1.50) and LHP Joe La Sorsa (3.24) each pitched two scoreless innings.

Next: Sunday at Omaha (Royals), 3:05 p.m.

ALTOONA (Double-A, 2-12) had two hits – both solo home runs – and beat Portland (Red Sox), 2-0. LHP Dominic Perachi (1-0, 1.80) started and went six innings, allowing three hits and two walks with three strikeouts. RHP Landon Tomkins (3.38) followed with two scoreless. RHP Jaycob Deese (3.00) worked the ninth for his first save. LF Titus Dumitru (.146) went 1 for 3 with his second homer. C Shawn Ross (.182) went 1 for 3 with his second homer.

Next: Sunday vs. Portland (Red Sox), 1 p.m.

GREENSBORO (High-A, 10-4) lost 8-3 to Brooklyn (Mets). C Easton Carmichael (.273) went 2 for 4 with an RBI. RF Shalin Polanco (.250) went 1 for 3 with a stolen base and an RBI. 1B Jared Jones (.277) went 2 for 5 with a run scored. RHP Carlson Reed (0-1, 7.36) started, recorded one out and gave up four runs on two hits and four walks. RHP Jose Garces (3.60) pitched two scoreless innings.

Next: Sunday at Brooklyn (Mets), 2 p.m.

BRADENTON (Low-A, 5-9) allowed seven stolen bases in its 6-5 loss to Tampa (Yankees). CF Edward Florentino, starting a rehab assignment as he recovers from an ankle injury, went 1 for 3 with a walk, double and run scored. LHP Reinold Navarro (6.43) started and gave up three hits, four walks and two earned runs over three innings while striking out five. SS/1B Eddie Rynders (.128) went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. DH Edgleen Perez (.238) went 1 for 4 and drove in two runs. LF/CF Josh Tate (.208) went 2 for 5 with an RBI. 2B/SS Antonio Pimentel (.154) went 2 for 4 with a double. RHP Greiber Mendez (5.40) and RHP Noah Murdock (0-1, 9.00), who took the loss, each gave up two hits and one run in one inning. RHP Treyson Peters pitched the final three innings, allowing five hits, one earned run and one walk while striking out two.

Next: Sunday at Tampa (Yankees), noon

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The Zone Extra | April 18, 2026

Published

18 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — It was another busy week in high school sports in central Indiana and ‘The Zone Extra’ has it all covered.

Athlete of the week and Guerin Catholic senior outfielder Ian Taylor is off to a scorching hot start to the young season. Check out his interview as well as Guerin Catholic head coach Dave Schrage talk about Taylor’s success.

The Johnson County baseball tournament came to a close. See highlights from Center Grove’s tournament victory.

The 4A baseball coaches poll was released as well as the 3A softball coaches poll.

The former Columbus North gymnastics coach, John Hinds, passed away at 88 years old.

Center Grove head softball coach Alyssa Coleman joins the show for a coaches corner conversation.

See highlights from the Colts Local Pro Day, featuring several former Hoosiers and Purdue’s Devin Mockobee.

Girls lacrosse is in the first season as an IHSAA emerging sport.

All of that, and more, can be found in the full The Zone Extra show above.

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Tornado watches issued for counties north and west of Indianapolis

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Tornado watches issued for counties north and west of Indianapolis

(WISH) — A tornado watch was issued until 3 a.m. EDT Saturday for counties northwest and west of Indianapolis, and into Illinois.

Indiana counties in the watch area are Boone, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Elkhart, Fountain, Fulton, Howard, Kosciusko, La Porte, Marshall, Miami, Montgomery, Parke, Pulaski, Putnam, St. Joseph, Starke, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Vigo, Wabash, Warren and White. The watch area includes the cities of Crawfordsville, Elkhart, Lafayette, Lebanon, South Bend, Terre Haute, and West Lafayette.

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has issued two watches in Indiana. The other one until midnight EDT Friday includes the Indiana counties of Benton, Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter. That includes the city of Gary. That watch also extends into Illinois.

Storms on Friday night in central Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Minnesota led to dozens of confirmed tornado warnings. The storms in central Illinois has gusts up to 80 mph, and tornadoes embedded in heavy rain.

An alert issued after 10:30 p.m. Friday from the National Weather Service at Indianapolis said, “A line of strong thunderstorms is nearing the state line with a history of widespread damaging winds and tornadoes. The line is expected to continue to produce damaging winds as it moves into Indiana with the potential for additional tornadoes. The line is then expected to gradually weaken as it moves further into the state.”

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