Practice Notebook

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Practice Notebook: Colts could use Week 18 to get look at younger players beyond Riley Leonard

Head coach Shane Steichen said he and his staff are working through possibly getting some younger players more snaps during Sunday's season finale against the Houston Texans.

Jan 01, 2026 at 03:46 PM

JJ Stankevitz

Colts.com Writer

Even if the Colts' season finale is meaningless from a postseason perspective, the snaps that will make up Sunday's Week 18 game against the Houston Texans will be meaningful for whoever is on the field.

Quarterback Riley Leonard will make his first career start, but he may not be the only Colts youngster to play a chunk of snaps this weekend.

"There'll be some guys that we've been talking about, and we'll continue to talk about throughout the week," head coach Shane Steichen said. "But you'll probably see some guys out there."

Those snaps still have to be earned, certainly. But, for instance, rookie running back D.J. Giddens hasn't taken a carry since Week 5, while linebacker Jaylon Carlies has only played in two games (and played two defensive snaps) since being activated from injured reserve on Dec. 6.

For players who've seen their snaps increase prior to Week 18 – like rookie tackle Jalen Travis, rookie cornerback Johnathan Edwards and third-year defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore – Sunday's game will be a final opportunity to continue growing ahead of the 2026 season. We'll also keep an eye on the status of rookie defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau, who missed Week 17 with an oblique injury.

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QB Philip Rivers #17

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G Quenton Nelson #56

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QB Riley Leonard #15

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QB Philip Rivers #17

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QB Anthony Richardson #5

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QB Seth Henigan #4

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QB Anthony Richardson #5

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QB Riley Leonard #15

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QB Riley Leonard #15

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WR Josh Downs #2

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WR Michael Pittman Jr. #11

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WR Josh Downs #2

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WR Alec Pierce #14

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WR Ashton Dulin #16

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RB Ulysses Bentley IV #37

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RB Ulysses Bentley IV #37

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TE Mo Alie-Cox #81

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TE Mo Alie-Cox #81

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RB Jonathan Taylor #28

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TE Tyler Warren #84

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WR Eli Pancol #83

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QB Seth Henigan #4

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WR Michael Pittman Jr. #11

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WR Josh Downs #2

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WR Alec Pierce #14

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WR Ashton Dulin #16

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RB Ulysses Bentley IV #37

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RB Jonathan Taylor #28

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QB Riley Leonard #15

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WR Michael Pittman Jr. #11 and WR Ashton Dulin #16

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WR Ashton Dulin #16

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WR Alec Pierce #14

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RB Ulysses Bentley IV #37 and QB Riley Leonard #15

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LB Austin Ajiake #58

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LB Segun Olubi #50

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LB Segun Olubi #50

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LB Buddy Johnson #59

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LB Jaylon Carlies #57

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LB Jaylon Carlies #57

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TE Tyler Warren #84

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WR Alec Pierce #14

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TE Tyler Warren #84

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S Nick Cross #20

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WR Ashton Dulin #16

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WR Alec Pierce #14

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TE Mo Alie-Cox #81

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RB Jonathan Taylor #28

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QB Seth Henigan #4

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QB Seth Henigan #4

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QB Anthony Richardson #5

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QB Anthony Richardson #5

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QB Riley Leonard #15

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QB Riley Leonard #15

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TE Tyler Warren #84

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QB Riley Leonard #15

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TE Mo Alie-Cox #81

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WR Laquon Treadwell #13

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WR Laquon Treadwell #13

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WR Ashton Dulin #16

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WR Ashton Dulin #16

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WR Josh Downs #2

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WR Josh Downs #2

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WR Josh Downs #2

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WR Josh Downs #2

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WR Josh Downs #2

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TE Tyler Warren #84

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TE Tyler Warren #84

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TE Tyler Warren #84

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TE Tyler Warren #84

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DT Adetomiwa Adebawore #95, DE Tanoh Kpassagnon #96 and DE Kwity Paye #51

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LB Segun Olubi #50

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QB Riley Leonard #15

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QB Riley Leonard #15

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Thursday's practice report:

thursday’s practice report for #INDvsHOU. pic.twitter.com/zziEhpVBQ3
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) January 1, 2026