INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts on Sunday travel to take on the Los Angeles Chargers in their 2019 regular season opener at Dignity Health Sports Park — and, accordingly, it's time to look at the team's unofficial depth chart for the game.
Here is a position-by-position look for the Chargers game, with some notes for each unit:
OFFENSE
— WR: T.Y. Hilton, Deon Cain, Parris Campbell
— LT: Anthony Castonzo, Le'Raven Clark
— LG: Quenton Nelson, Joe Haeg
— C: Ryan Kelly, Josh Andrews
— RG: Mark Glowinski, Joe Haeg
— RT: Braden Smith, Le'Raven Clark
— TE: Jack Doyle, Mo Alie-Cox
— WR: Devin Funchess, Zach Pascal, Chester Rogers
— QB: Jacoby Brissett, Brian Hoyer
— TE: Eric Ebron, Hale Hentges
— RB: Marlon Mack, Nyheim Hines, Jonathan Williams, Jordan Wilkins
Notes:
» This is the first Colts unofficial depth chart of the post-Andrew Luck era, as Jacoby Brissett is officially now listed as the team's starting quarterback. Brian Hoyer, signed as his backup Monday, also makes his first appearance.
» One difference between the preseason unofficial depth chart and this Week 1 unofficial depth chart is at running back, where Jonathan Williams is listed as the No. 3 and Jordan Wilkins listed at No. 4 (it was switched before). Wilkins participated in his first practice in nearly a month on Sunday after dealing with a foot injury; Williams, meanwhile, continued to sit out as he deals with a chest injury.
» Because the team lists its base offense on its unofficial depth chart, there's no telling who would be considered the "starter" at slot receiver, which would likely be between Chester Rogers and Parris Campbell. The rookie Campbell, who missed the first three preseason games with a hamstring injury, had an impressive debut in the preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals, with three receptions for 42 yards.
» The Colts, of course, have all five starters returning along the offensive line, and because the team has kept just eight guys up front heading into Week 1, Joe Haeg (at guard) and Le'Raven Clark (at tackle) are your primary backups. Josh Andrews, meanwhile, won out the backup center job, though Haeg could also play there in a pinch if needed.
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DEFENSE
— DE: Justin Houston, Kemoko Turay
— NT: Margus Hunt, Grover Stewart
— UT: Denico Autry, Tyquan Lewis, Jihad Ward
— DE: Jabaal Sheard, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Ben Banogu
— WLB: Darius Leonard, E.J. Speed
— MLB: Anthony Walker, Bobby Okereke
— SAM: Matthew Adams, Zaire Franklin
— CB: Kenny Moore II, Quincy Wilson, Ryan Lewis
— FS: Malik Hooker, George Odum
— SS: Clayton Geathers, Khari Willis
— CB: Pierre Desir, Rock Ya-Sin, Marvell Tell III
Notes:
» The unofficial depth chart on defense had a little bit different look during the preseason for the Colts, particularly up front. This Week 1 unofficial depth chart seems to align much more closely with what was seen in recent practices and in preseason games, with Justin Houston and Jabaal Sheard listed as starters at defensive end, and Margus Hunt and Denico Autry listed as starters at defensive tackle.
» Much like the slot receiver position for the offense, this unofficial depth chart doesn't list what the Colts' defense would look like in its nickel package, which is what it's lined up in a majority of the time. While Kenny Moore II usually slides inside as the nickel corner, the third cornerback job would likely be between Quincy Wilson and rookie Rock Ya-Sin.
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SPECIALISTS
— P: Rigoberto Sanchez
— PK: Adam Vinatieri
— H: Rigoberto Sanchez
— LS: Luke Rhodes
— KR: Zach Pascal, Nyheim Hines
— PR: Chester Rogers, Nyheim Hines
Notes:
» No surprises, obviously, at the punter-kicker-long snapper spots, where the Colts are as solid as any team in the league.
» The Colts will enter Week 1 returning their kick returner (Pascal) and punt returner (Rogers) from last season, though Nyheim Hines, who was a stellar returner at the college level two seasons ago, is now officially a backup at both of those spots for the first time.
