INDIANAPOLIS —The Indianapolis Colts on Friday wrapped up their final practice of the week to prepare for Sunday's 2017 home opener against the Arizona Cardinals.
But who's starting at quarterback for the Colts in that game remains under wraps.
Head coach Chuck Pagano on Friday declined to announce whether Scott Tolzien or Jacoby Brissett would get the start under center against the Cardinals, leaving that decision to ultimately reveal itself when the Colts' offense first takes the field on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
With regular starter Andrew Luck recovering from January shoulder surgery, Tolzien has been working with the No. 1 offense since the start of the offseason program. The seventh-year Wisconsin product made his fourth-career start — and second with the Colts — last Sunday in Indianapolis' 2017 season opener against the Rams.
Tolzien completed 9-of-18 passes for 128 yards, but threw two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns, in the Colts' 46-9 loss at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Brissett, who was acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots on Aug. 2, would end up playing most of the fourth quarter for the Colts against the Rams. The second-year North Carolina State product completed 2-of-3 passes for 51 yards in limited action, including a 50-yard strike to wide receiver Donte Moncrief on his first pass attempt of the game.
When it comes to Tolzien, offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski said he's not concerned at all about his ability to bounce back if he gets another chance to start on Sunday against the Cardinals.
"When you're around guys that they can't bounce back from things, that could be an issue," Chudzinski said. "But Scott is a mentally tough guy. He's back at it, working at it as hard as ever, if not harder this week. His expectations are that (his performance) would change."
Brissett, meanwhile, said he's had some late nights learning the team's playbook since being acquired by the Colts, but Chudzinski said he has confidence in him, too, if he were to get the start on Sunday, which would be Brissett's first since starting Weeks 3 and 4 for the Patriots as a rookie last season.
"I've been impressed in the short amount of time that he's been here," Chudzinski said of Brissett. "It would be a very challenging situation. But he's the type of guy – smart, very poised and I like some of the things I've seen on the field just from his physical tools, as well."
