The Indianapolis Colts ended their first game of the 2024 preseason with a close 34-30 loss to the Denver Broncos. As is customary and regular with every preseason game, here are three good and three bad from the Colts’ 2024 debut. As always, let’s start on a positive note with “the good.”

The Good | Quarterback Jason Bean

Anthony Richardson is set to be QB1 and Joe Flacco is set to be QB2 for Indianapolis. However, the battle for QB3 is open to Sam Ehlinger, Kedon Slovis and Jason Bean. All three played admirably, but Bean stood out from the crowd.

Bean finished the day 4/6 passing for 51 yards and a touchdown to wide receiver Laquon Treadwell and looked great leading the final portion of Shane Steichen’s offense. He also had the best rushing numbers of any Colts player, managing 24 yards on four carries (6.0 yards per carry). Despite losing a fumble, Bean still threw a touchdown and led the way in the run, something Slovis and Ehlinger did not. We’ll see if that preseason performance changes anything for Indy’s third lineup.

The Bad | Team Run Defense

The Broncos finished the game with plenty of rushing attempts, wearing the football shirt 38 times for 131 yards (3.4 yards per attempt) and three touchdowns. Even though the average yardage is nothing special, Denver still crushed the Colts minus DeForest Buckner that day.

Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Audric Estime led the offense with 10 carries for 31 rushing yards and a touchdown. Backups Blake Watson and Tyler Badie also found the end zone. The second-team defensive linemen and second-team defensive linemen were in action for most of the game, but there were still enough starters on the field to warrant an upgrade the next time the first-team defense is deployed in the preseason.

The Good | Defensive End Laiatu Latu

If a fan looks at rookie defensive end Laiatu Latu’s play report from the preseason game against the Broncos, they won’t be impressed. Latu recorded a single tackle and nothing else. But the pressure on the Broncos’ quarterbacks was consistent from the former UCLA Bruin and 15th pick, despite being pressured early by the tight ends.

Latu’s impact is already being felt and games have yet to start mattering. If he can continue to play with a strong motor and develop on the fly, he could be a big problem in his first NFL season. Despite losing defensive end and 2023 sack leader Samson Ebukam to a torn Achilles, Charlie Partridge seems to have the Colts’ defensive front and Latu on point and ready to attack.

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The Bad | Cornerback Dallis Flowers

Cornerback Dallis Flowers battled with second-year defensive back Jaylon Jones for potential starting spots at the outside position. However, Flowers didn’t have a particularly impressive training camp and his performance continued to drop off in Sunday’s game against Denver.

Although he finished the day with four tackles, his coverage was below average and he suffered two cases of pass interference, something he had already struggled with in training camp before this game.

It’s probably safe to assume that Flowers won’t be taking over that position from Jones anytime soon. Flowers suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in 2023 after showing promise in four games, so there may still be time to adjust. But right now, Flowers looks more like a returner and cornerback.

The Good | Cornerback Micah Abraham

While Flowers was not in great form on the field on Sunday afternoon, sixth-round rookie cornerback Micah Abraham did not disappoint and took advantage of his golden opportunity. Abraham finished the game with six tackles (one for a loss), a fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown.

Abraham still has a lot of experience ahead of him, but a performance like he did in his debut game is remarkable. With Flowers struggling a bit, this could give a player like Abraham a chance to get some extra playing time that Gus Bradley and Co. may not have expected so early on.

The Bad | Injury to Running Back Trey Sermon

Trey Sermon, fourth-year running back for the Colts, falls into the negative category, not because of any dip in performance on the field, but because he couldn’t stay on the field Sunday afternoon. After making a single catch for 12 receiving yards, Sermon went down with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and never returned to the game. That allowed Evan Hull and Tyler Goodson to take the majority of the backfield reps to close out the game.

Although neither accomplished much, both scored rushing touchdowns and were active in the passing game. Hull finished with eight carries for 16 rushing yards, one catch for 15 receiving yards and a touchdown. Goodson finished similarly, with seven carries for 15 rushing yards, two receptions for one yard and a touchdown.

That’s not a huge concern for Sermon, but Hull and Goodson have scored key touchdowns and played solidly when they’ve been needed. Aside from star Jonathan Taylor, the backfield can be reshuffled at any time, and aside from RB1, no spot is set in stone. The next few preseason games could reveal more details about the backfield situation behind Taylor.

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