INDIANAPOLIS – It's early.
Really early.
The Colts will not put on full pads for another two months and change.
A preseason game will follow a week and a half later.
In about three and a half months it will be real for the Colts, when they head to Los Angeles for their regular season opener.
But Tuesday was the first look the media got at the 2017 Colts.
Here's a glance at the extremely early 2017 depth chart, observed by the media, with several expected starters sidelined this time of year.
It should be noted that the wide receiver and inside linebacker positions saw plenty of rotation through the first team work on Tuesday.
**Offense
**
- QB-Scott Tolzien: With Andrew Luck sidelined, it was the veteran Tolzien getting the initial first-team reps. We also saw Stephen Morris work with the first unit during Tuesday's open OTA session.
- RB-Robert Turbin: 34-year-old running back Frank Gore was not present Tuesday, instead he was down working in Florida. It's not much of a surprise to see Gore absent this time of year. The voluntary portion of the offseason has Gore in and out of the Indianapolis area. Chuck Pagano said the Colts hope to have Gore back for next week's OTAs.
- WR-T.Y. Hilton: The NFL's leading receiver was the star of last year's offseason program, according to Chuck Pagano.
- WR-Donte Moncrief: After a shoulder injury limited Moncrief for nearly half of last season, he's back and healthy going into a contract year. We saw ample rotation at receiver on Tuesday, with Kamar Aiken, Jacoby Brissett and Chester Rogers all receiving time in the multiple wideout formations.
- TE-Jack Doyle: It's a new contract for Doyle in 2017, as he ascends to the top of the tight end depth chart.
- TE-Mo Alie-Cox: The trading of Dwayne Allen has brought Erik Swoope into the No. 2 tight end spot.
- LT-Anthony Castonzo: Since 2011, Castonzo has been the left tackle in Indy.
- LG-Joe Haeg: With Jack Mewhort working his way back from a knee injury, it was Joe Haeg sliding over to a spot where he started as rookie. Chris Ballard said during the draft that guard would be Haeg's first look this offseason. Mewhort did participate on Monday (the first OTA of 2017), with the Colts easing him back into a full workload.
- C-Ryan Kelly: This is the first full offseason program for the 2016 first-round pick.
- RG-Denzelle Good: The shuffling of Haeg to the left side on Tuesday brought Denzelle Good into the starting lineup. Good saw plenty of action at right guard last season.
- RT-Le'Raven Clark: The right-side combo of second-year players Haeg and Clark is how the Colts ended 2016, and now begin 2017. If Clark's pass blocking continues to develop, this is likely his spot to lose come camp.
Defense (which saw continuous subbing during Tuesday's open media session)
- NT-David Parry: The two-year returning starter at nose tackle saw the initial action in the middle on Tuesday.
- DT-Johnathan Hankins: Where Hankins lines up (at nose tackle or defensive tackle) is something to watch this offseason.
- DE-Henry Anderson: Back from a nagging knee injury, Anderson is prepping for his third NFL season.
- OLB-Jabaal Sheard: The newcomer from New England will be wearing No. 93 coming off the edge in Indianapolis.
- ILB-Edwin Jackson: It's worth repeating: the inside linebacker rotation had constant rotation throughout Tuesday's second OTA session. Rookie linebacker Anthony Walker was not present on Tuesday as he is wrapping up school at Northwestern.
- ILB-Jon Bostic: Chuck Pagano has been pleased with the early looks of the inside linebacker group, with Bostic healthy enough to earn some first-team reps after the Colts signed him late in free agency.
- OLB-John Simon: Just like Sheard, Simon was a very early, and very important, free agent signing. A larger role is expected out of both Simon and Sheard in their new home of Indianapolis.
- RCB-Vontae Davis: The familiar face was participating Tuesday, getting a hand on a pass that went into Darius Butler's arms for an interception.
- SS-T.J. Green: It's an important time for Green right now. No Clayton Geathers and no Malik Hooker means more first-team reps for Green.
- FS-Darius Butler: After Tuesday's session, Butler said he's a safety until told otherwise. Butler had the highlight of the day with an interception off a tipped pass.
- LCB-Rashaan Melvin: With rookie Quincy Wilson in a boot (Pagano said Wilson felt sore after Monday's OTA and was going to have an MRI done), it was Melvin lining up opposite Davis.
Of course, this time of year, any depth chart could change on a daily basis.
Let Chuck Pagano explain that to you:
"We are trotting guys out there and we've got to have a first group, a second group, a third group," Pagano said. "We've got 90 guys on the roster, 80-some practicing. Depth right now and where you are at on the depth chart is irrelevant. It's learning the position, knowing what to do, getting better every day. We are in shorts. We've got to get to Training Camp, get the pads on and figure out who is going to be in there."
The analysis from those producing content on Colts.com does not necessarily represent the thoughts of the Indianapolis Colts organization. Any conjecture, analysis or opinions formed by Colts.com content creators is not based on inside knowledge gained from team officials, players or staff.
