Week 2 of the Colts’ preseason vs. Green Bay will center on the Anthony Richardson–Daniel Jones duel, but several hidden battles could shape the 53-man roster. Austin Ajiake is pushing for a linebacker role alongside Zaire Franklin, with coach Lou Anarumo pointing to a revolving door at the position and Ajiake’s prior camp work on special teams hinting at a possible path to snaps beyond routine reserve duties.

In the passing game, Will Mallory has emerged as a reliable receiving alternative at tight end, potentially teaming with two-TE sets in pass-heavy looks as Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree anchor blocking duties. On the perimeter, Alex Johnson and Johnathan Edwards highlight the CB competition opposite Charvarius Ward’s likely foil, with Sam Womack and injuries to JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones opening up opportunities. The defense and special-teams units will be watching these battles closely as Indianapolis builds depth this preseason.

Meanwhile, veterans like Jelani Woods and Jelani Woods’ peers show the Colts’ long-term planning: Woods as a dynamic receiving option, Mallory as a complementary pass-catcher, and Ajiake as a special-teams contributor who could carve a niche if linebacking depth settles in his favor. The quarterback-receiver mix remains the marquee story, but the steps of Ajiake, Mallory, and the CB options will influence early-season rotations and depth-chart decisions.

Matthew Golden, the Green Bay rook, flashed in two 1-on-1 reps against Charvarius Ward and Alex Johnson in Green Bay’s joint practice with Indianapolis. He released cleanly, bent routes inside and outside with sudden stops, and snagged catches on the run, showing both speed and playmaking shiftiness. The performances underscored Golden’s potential as a big-play, off-the-line threat who could stress defenses if kept clean at the snap.

Golden’s best attribute is his ability to stop and start with ease, making him a nightmare for press or off-the-line coverage. If he can consistently win release, he could push for more snaps behind Green Bay’s top targets, offering dynasty managers and DFS players a tantalizing late-round upside. The Colts reps were telling, but Golden answered with two clear wins that bolster his fantasy-case in varied lineups as camp progresses.

Kenny Moore II’s knee injury during Colts camp is not described as a major setback, ESPN notes, but a firm timeline remains unclear. With Moore out of practice and a string of cornerback injuries (Justin Walley ACL, Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents hamstrings), Indianapolis faces a reshaped depth chart. Charvarius Ward anchors outside, while Samuel Womack III, Alex Johnson and Johnathan Edwards are in the mix to start opposite Ward. Moore has been a steady presence, logging over 1,000 defensive snaps in four of the last five seasons and posting three interceptions in 2024 while limiting yards per target. In fantasy terms, a Moore absence could push Womack or Edwards into more prominent roles, elevate Ward’s workload if he’s healthy, and test the Colts’ depth with early-season matchups against high-powered passing offenses.

Depth at CB could swing Week 1 projections for Indy, especially given the surrounding injuries. The trio of potential nickel/dime players—Womack, Johnson and Edwards—offer speculative upside in dynasty leagues or as aone-off stream if Moore’s return lags. As the Colts navigate murky timelines, fantasy managers should monitor practice reps and injury reports closely, because even a short spell without Moore could tilt fantasy value toward the next-man-in at nickel and opposite Ward.

Alex Johnson, a cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts, is looking to make a name for himself as he enters his second year in the NFL after going undrafted in 2024. Standing at 6'0" and weighing 185 pounds, Johnson had a stellar college career at UCLA, showcasing his skills with a 54% completion rate against him on 46 targets during his final season. His five interceptions and ability to defend the slot positionally make him a player to watch.

After a challenging entry into the league, which included stints on the New York Giants' practice squad, Johnson found a foothold with the Colts. He signed a reserve/futures deal with the team in January, positioning himself for greater opportunities in the upcoming season. With a crowded cornerback room featuring established players like Kenny Moore and Charvarius Ward, Johnson’s development will be crucial for the Colts' secondary as they aim to bolster their defensive unit.