Colts backups get dominated at home by Falcons: Takeaways from Preseason Week 2

Look, it’s only preseason, and it was a battle of backups, but I don’t necessarily know that I expected the Indianapolis Colts to get blown out at home to the tune of 34-6 to the Atlanta Falcons, after arguably getting the better of their visitor at Grand Park through two joint training camp practices earlier in the week.

This was an ugly one to watch, let alone attend, so we’ll try to do as many takeaways as we can stomach:

• Quarterback: If he wanted to stay in the QB2 race, 2nd-year quarterback Riley Leonard needed a rebound outing after a sluggish performance in his 2026 preseason debut last Thursday night, relieving Anthony Richardson Sr. in the second half of that game versus the New England Patriots, Instead, Leonard was just as bad, if not worse on Saturday afternoon against Atlanta. He completed 7 of 14 pass attempts for 62 passing yards (4.4 avg.), 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and a fumble that was recovered. While he played well in the 2025 regular season finale against the Houston Texans first-team defense for a half, I’ve been stating throughout this offseason that it was a very limited sample size, while also acknowledging that Colts head coach Shane Steichen is a notoriously adept game scripter, especially in the first half of games. Right now, Leonard looks more the part of a developmental QB3, and the reason why Indianapolis elected to bring grizzled veteran Philip Rivers back 5 years removed from retirement, rather than throw Leonard to the wolves for last season’s final stretch of games. Richardson Sr. wasn’t particularly sharp in this one either, playing behind Indy’s offensive line of 3s, completing 3 of 9 pass attempts for 24 passing yards, but he looks to be the better bet to be the Colts QB2 right now. He at least has greater mobility in his favor.
• Running Back: Rookie 7th round pick Seth McGowan looks like he’s won the primary backup running back job behind star workhorse Jonathan Taylor. His final line wasn’t great in this one (8 carries for 27 total rushing yards), but he again had some good rushes. Fellow backup running back DJ Giddens wasn’t available in this one with a lingering hamstring injury, so the main backup job appears to be McGowan’s to lose right now. It’ll be interesting to see what the Colts plan on doing with Giddens, who was their 5th round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, but endured some definite growing pains as a rookie.
• Wide Receiver: The rookie 7th round pick Deion Burks was another bright spot for the Colts, despite a quiet line of 4 receptions for 19 total receiving yards. He had a couple of nice catches in this one, and for a young wideout who could be on the roster bubble, made a stronger case to stick on the active 53-man roster. Helping Burks’ cause is that he was the Colts primary kick returner in this one and fared pretty well, as special teams versatility will definitely play for the bottom of Indy’s active roster players.

• Backup Cornerbacks: Backup Cam Taylor-Britt looked like he held his ownand would realistically be the ‘Next Man Up’ (*outside of his Week 1 suspension) if any of Indy’s top three cornerbacks miss time, but both fellow backup corners Mekhi Blackmon and Jonathan Edwards struggled for a consecutive preseason game. Each’s job security could be in jeopardy. If there was one thing to note, it’s that definite bubble cornerback Jaylon Jones actually played pretty well late in this one.
• Rotational Edges: 2025 2nd round pick Jaylahn Tuimoloau has yet to stand out at all running against the 2’s, and if there’s something to celebrate from their edge room (for a defense that had just one sack collectively on Saturday afternoon), rookie 5th round pick George Gumbs Jr. flashed again for a consecutive preseason game. He could be pushing for a larger rotational role, especially if Tuimoloau continues to be ‘just a guy’ out there from a pass rushing perspective.
• Rookie Linebackers: The rookie linebacker pairing of CJ Allen (3 tackles) and Bryce Boettcher (4 tackles) flashed their instincts in this one, and both should eventually contribute to the first-team defense in their first year—even in subpackage work, so this was good game day experience for them.

• Kickers: Blake Grupe has been consistently the stronger leg throughout training camp, but when the game day lights have come on through two preseason games, it’s actually been Spencer Shrader, who has been the stronger performer. Shrader converted his two field goals kicks: 48 and 53 yards, while Grupe’s 36-yard field goal attempt was wide right. Grupe appeared to be in the driver’s seat ahead of preseason, but now, it’s a fair question of whether Shrader, who has performed well during actual game days (albeit preseason) carries more weight right now than Grupe being close to automatic kicking in practice, with less pressure.