CINCINNATI – Was it enough?
That is what dozens of Colts will think in the next day or so as the decision makers inside of Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center will mold the roster from 75 players down to the mandated number of 53.
The final impression was indeed a winning one for the Colts, as third-string quarterback Stephen Morris continued his strong preseason in leading a late touchdown drive, giving the Colts a 13-10 victory over the Bengals on Thursday night.
In typical preseason finale fashion, the Colts rested virtually every player that is expected to be in the starting lineup when the regular season begins a week from Sunday.
Thursday night was all about the guys who will now wait anxiously near their phone to find out if indeed they will still be Colts when the team gathers Monday for regular season Week No. 1.
Who were the Colts that made a strong final impression?
Quarterback Stephen Morris
No matter what happens to Morris in the coming days, he did just about everything he could to merit a roster spot over the past month.
The Colts have said Scott Tolzien is their backup (and Tolzien was 11-of-12 on Thursday night, ending the preseason on a strong note), but Morris sure tried make the Colts rethink things.
Morris was 20-of-30 for 217 yards on Thursday, entering in the second quarter and leading the Colts to all 13 of their points.
When the Bengals took a 10-6 lead with 1:55 remaining, it was Morris taking the Colts on a nine-play, game-winning, touchdown drive.
For the preseason, Morris was 39-of-61 for 531 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.
Given the injury situation, it's nearly impossible for the Colts to carry three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster.
If a job isn't here in Indy for Morris come Saturday, he likely won't be on the free market for long.
"I'll be by my phone," Morris says, "just waiting to see what happens and go from there."**
Running Back Jordan Todman**
Jordan Todman couldn't help but smile walking into Paul Brown Stadium on Thursday night.
Back in January, as a member of the Steelers, Todman had a team-leading 65 rushing yards in Pittsburgh's 18-16 Wild Card win over the Bengals.
Todman was on the visiting sideline again on Thursday in Cincy and made the home team remember him.
A handful of carries for 33 yards, plus a 39-yard kick return was another productive outing for a guy who has a nice shot at playing behind Frank Gore in 2016.
"I definitely thought of it when I first came in and walked into the stadium," Todman said of returning to Paul Brown Stadium nine months after helping the Steelers to a postseason victory.Wide Receiver Chester Rogers
Rogers started, and finished, the preseason making plays.
On Thursday night, Rogers' seven catches for 80 yards paced the Colts. A 46-yard grab in the second half was another highlight the undrafted wideout put on his preseason resume.
"It's out of my control. I did everything I could," Rogers said after Thursday's preseason finale. "The Colts said I did a great job, special teams and offense.
"Hopefully I'll be here next week."
The Colts were looking for an undrafted receiver to emerge this camp.
Along with Iowa's Tevaun Smith, Rogers clearly separated himself from that group.
Unless Saturday's waiver wire has better options, the receiver room in Indy could very well include Rogers next week.**
Outside Linebacker Curt Maggitt**
Like Rogers, Curt Maggitt started and ended his preseason on a high note.
Maggitt had four tackles and a forced fumble on Thursday, capping a preseason that started with three tackles for loss in Buffalo.
Earlier this week, Chuck Pagano mentioned Maggitt as a young edge guy that has flashed this preseason.
The Colts would love to bring a young pass rusher on their 53-man roster and Maggitt made his case again on Thursday."I'm just grateful (because) nine months ago I'm on crutches for four months (due to a hip injury)," Maggitt said after Thursday's 13-10 win.
"To be able to finish Training Camp and preseason without any setbacks, I'm grateful."
All four of these guys likely won't be around on Monday, but they did make the Colts think about them long and hard with cut downs almost here.
"We," Pagano said on Thursday, "obviously have some tough decisions to make in the next 48 hours."
