Under the Radar Players Ready for Colts Return

The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2024 season with several players set to return. Many of these players suffered season-ending injuries or injuries that sidelined them before the start of the regular season. Regardless, the Colts lost some key playmakers in 2024, including their franchise quarterback, Anthony Richardson. Besides Richardson, however, there are several key players whose 2024 season did not end the way they hoped. As the Colts build on their excellent 2023 season, these three returning players will need to make a big impact in 2024.

Three under-the-radar players ready for a comeback

Jelani Wood

One of the most intriguing players looking for a return is Colts tight end Jelani Woods. As a 2022 rookie, Woods showed how his size can overpower opponents. In 15 games and two starts, Woods finished his rookie year with three touchdowns on 25 receptions. He had a 62.5% catch rate and averaged 12.5 yards per reception. Needless to say, Woods has significant potential to become the Colts’ best tight end and even one of the best tight ends in the league.

The problem for Woods in 2023 was that he never suited up for a match. After suffering a hamstring injury in the offseason, the hope was that Woods would still be able to play. Unfortunately, he was placed on injured reserve early in the season and remained there for the entire season. Woods certainly has the most upside among the Colts’ young tight ends. Therefore, even though its second season did not go as expected, it is expected that its third season will turn out to be its best. This offseason, it looks like Woods is about to be fcompletely healed and ready to go. If he is everything the Colts envision, he could become a key impact player in the future.

Dallas Flowers

Similar to Jelani Woods, Dallis Flowers was a rookie in 2022. As a rookie cornerback, Flowers showed signs of big playmaking ability finishing with 10 solo tackles and a forced fumble in 13 appearances and one start. Starting in 2023, the Colts have elevated Flowers to the starting role opposite Kenny Moore II. In the four games he started before his season-ending Achilles injury, Flowers allowed just one touchdown and allowed a 60 percent completion rate.

What makes Flowers one of the players primed for a return to the Colts is the fact that his presence on the field was greatly missed in the secondary. When Flowers went down, the secondary struggled. Thus, signifying his value to the team. He is the most unheralded player looking for a breakout year and comeback in 2024. It will be interesting to see if he can pick up where he left off in 2023.

Jonathan Taylor

With so much buzz surrounding the return of Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor is going a bit unnoticed. Taylor began the 2023 season on injured reserve. However, after seeing the field of play in week five, he injured his thumb in week 12. This sidelined him for another 3 weeks. Unlike Woods and Flowers, however, Taylor is scheduled to make a return in 2024. This will be the second straight season in which he has just had a sub-1,000-yard year. This will also be the second straight season in which he is coming off an injury-laden year. The Colts also signed Taylor to a massive contract extension. Needless to say, there’s a lot of pressure on Taylor to perform. He’s already been explosive. He must be explosive again.

Main photo: Jenna Watson/IndyStar-USA TODAY NETWORK