RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed.
Do the Indianapolis Colts enter their 2026 training camp more like the team that started last season 8-2, or the squad that lost its last seven games?
Quarterback Daniel Jones , defensive lineman DeForest Buckner and wide receiver Alec Pierce are coming back from injuries. Cornerback Sauce Gardner is essentially their first-round draft pick, so much will be expected of him.
So far, the NFL power rankings don't believe in them.
Indianapolis Colts power rankings entering 2026 training camp
Josh Kendall, The Athletic : 21st
"If Indianapolis doesn’t find its early 2025 form this season, Steichen will be the hottest candidate on the offensive coordinator market in January. The Colts lost seven straight to end the season, which dropped Steichen below .500 in three years in Indy (25-26). The defense has been overhauled, but QB Daniel Jones is coming back from a December Achilles tear, and Anthony Richardson is now competing just to be Jones’ primary backup."
ESPN : 20th best projected starting lineup
X factor : "Daniel Jones. In the first eight weeks of last season, Jones was playing well. He was second in QBR, second in yards per dropback, fourth in turnover rate, sixth in completion percentage over expected (per Next Gen Stats) and third in sack rate. He was buoyed by a strong running game, but those are great numbers. His efficiency dropped over the rest of his season, as he played with a fibula injury before tearing his Achilles in early December. There's also Jones' history, which is nowhere near as strong as what he showed in the first half of 2025. Which version of Jones will the Colts get coming off the injury? That will mean everything to their 2026 prospects."
Ralph Vacchiano, Fox Sports : 23rd
"QB Daniel Jones does appear to be on track to practice this summer and start the regular season on time. Still, the last time he returned after a major injury, his play was terrible and he ended up getting benched. How long until he regains his form is a fair and open question."
Frank Schwab, Yahoo : 21st
"This ranking could look silly early this season. The Colts weren't just getting lucky and winning close games against bad teams; they looked great. And while that run might be impossible to recreate this season, it wasn't an illusion either. But overall, there are too many questions to predict a double-digit win season, starting with how Daniel Jones looks coming off a serious injury.
"Overall, it just seems like a slightly below average Colts team, and the division is getting better around them. Let's predict a Colts record below .500, which would mean a fourth straight season of Shane Steichen missing the playoffs and many tough offseason decisions in Indianapolis."
Lou Scataglia, NFL Spin Zone : 22nd
"It really just feels like the Colts aren't close to that first-half 2025 form as we approach training camp. Indy could be frisky in the AFC, but the roster isn't overwhelming, and there are a ton of other teams that have a bit more going for them right now."
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Gary Davenport, Bleacher Report : 22nd
"Can Alec Pierce live up to his new contract and lead the wide receiver room? Can defensive tackle DeForest Buckner rebound from a second straight injury-marred season? What will the Colts defense look like after the team's top two tacklers from a year ago departed in the offseason?
"That's a lot of questions for a team sitting in a division with two teams that won at least 12 games last year."
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter .
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Where Indianapolis Colts stand in NFL power rankings; Daniel Jones injury looms over training camp
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