The Colts' 2024 Week 1 opener against the Houston Texans is arguably one of the most anticipated games of the season.
It's a rematch with the team that kept the Colts from reaching the playoffs in 2023, a battle between young star quarterbacks in Anthony Richardson and C.J. Stroud, a chance for the Colts to win their first season opener since 2013.
Oh, and it's also Laiatu Latu's NFL debut.
As a rookie, Latu has had a lot to learn in the past few months. The defensive end has done so without hesitation, earning praise from his coaches and teammates for his work ethic and curiosity.
"He came in pro-ready," Steichen said. "The way he's worked, the way he goes about his business. He's in early, he's here late. He works after practice. He's always in the defensive line room watching film. So, you want that in a young player – that preparation piece."
Latu is as prepared as he can be for Sunday's game. But there's one thing he didn't ask his teammates about: the Colts' history with the Texans. They didn't volunteer much about it.
"I've just been treating them like any other team," Latu said.
Everything Latu knows about the Texans, he'll use on the football field. He's studied how Stroud moves in the pocket, what the O-line does and how he can win his one-on-one battles. Because all the rookie is really focused on is producing for his team and getting a win.
He's not even really thinking about the fact that Sunday is going to be his first NFL game, or even the emotions that come with reaching such a milestone.
"Everything's become the norm for me now," Latu explained. "Showing up here, it's a job for me. I don't take it lightly at all, but the emotions – I'm just trying to be like a vet. I know I'm a rookie, but I want to act like a vet in every way possible so that I can become ready for those gamedays and I can show my room they can trust me, and I'm accountable and all that."
The Colts have no reason to have anything less than complete faith in Latu. Just ask DeForest Buckner.
"Just the way he prepares, the work that he puts in," the one-time All-Pro defensive tackle said. "Just seeing him throughout training camp, I mean, he's only gotten better each and every day."
While Latu is confident in himself and the rest of his team, he did admit there would be some nerves for him come Sunday as he walks into Lucas Oil Stadium. But they're the good kind of nerves, the butterflies that come when you know you're about to start something big.
"I know I'll be nervous for sure," Latu said. "But it's going to be crazy because the atmosphere is definitely gonna be different than the preseason games, but I'm just gonna be keeping level-headed, just stick by my D-line guys that whole day."
The Colts' defensive line has always been a tight-knit group – essentially everyone returned from the 2023 season – but Latu quickly fit right in and has become an indispensable part of the unit.
"The confidence he goes out there with, with rushing and everything, and, you know, really playing off each other," Buckner said. "The kid's got a bright future."
That future starts Sunday.
