At one point, the Indianapolis Colts were expected to play their starters for a decent workload in the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions on Friday. However, those plans have changed.
After talking with Lions head coach Dan Campbell, who told him they wouldn’t be playing their starters, Colts head coach Frank Reich decided it best to keep the starters off the field.
“I was on the fence. I was prepared to play the guys a little bit, not much but just a little final tune-up,” Reich told reporters Wednesday. “And then when I find out they weren’t playing theirs, that kind of made the decision easy for me.’’
Sitting starters or at least limiting their reps has become more of a common theme throughout the league in order to avoid injury. There is a fine line between getting enough reps without risking injury.
Even with the starters sitting, the quarterback position will continue its battle for the backup behind Carson Wentz, who returned to practice this week. Second-year quarterback Jacob Eason and rookie Sam Ehlinger will continue their battle in the final preseason game. They are the only quarterbacks to see playing time in the two preseason games thus far.
Eason will be getting the start with Ehlinger coming in for the majority of the remainder of work. It’s possible we also see Brett Hundley if the Colts have made up their mind mid-game as to who the backup to Wentz will be.
The Colts are set to visit the Lions on Friday at Ford Field for the finale at 7:00 p.m. ET.
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