Why isn't Joe Flacco playing for the Colts against the Cardinals? Indianapolis QB's status

The Colts are gearing up for their preseason clash against the Cardinals this Saturday, but if you were hoping to catch a glimpse of Joe Flacco under center, you’re going to be out of luck. Head coach Shane Steichen has made it clear: Flacco, along with the starters, won’t be taking the field. It’s not the most surprising decision in the world, especially considering how much value the team got from the joint practices with Arizona earlier this week. Those practices gave the starters—and yes, that includes Flacco—plenty of reps, and without the risk of showing too much to their upcoming opponents.

The preseason is a funny thing. It’s all about preparation, but you’ve got to be careful not to overplay your hand. Steichen’s strategy is smart—keep the playbook close to the chest during these preseason games and let the young guys and depth players get their shot. Sure, it means fans won’t see much of Flacco on Saturday, but it’s all part of the bigger picture. The real goal is the regular season, and that’s where the Colts want to be at their best.

Of course, Flacco isn’t the only one who’ll be sidelined. Wide receiver Josh Downs is going to be out for a while, too—four to six weeks with a high-ankle sprain. That’s a tough break for the rookie, who was showing some real promise. In his place, AD Mitchell and Anthony Gould have been stepping up in the slot. It’s a chance for these younger guys to prove they can hang in the NFL, but Downs will be missed, no doubt about it.

And then there’s Ashton Dulin, who’s been dealing with a nagging hamstring injury. He’s missed a handful of practices and last week’s game against Denver. Now, with more competition in the wide receiver room, Dulin’s situation is something to keep an eye on. The Colts have some depth at receiver, but Dulin’s versatility on special teams and offense is something that GM Chris Ballard has praised. If he can get healthy, Dulin could still have a role to play.

Running back Trey Sermon also found himself on the injury list after the Denver game, sidelined with—you guessed it—a hamstring issue. It’s never great to see a player go down, especially in the preseason when every snap counts for guys trying to earn a spot on the roster. With Sermon out, Evan Hull has been getting more touches, and he’s making the most of it. It’s one of those next-man-up situations, and Hull is doing his best to seize the opportunity.

On the defensive side, Titus Leo and Genard Avery have both been out of practice this week. Leo’s injury hasn’t been disclosed, which leaves us all guessing, while Avery’s been nursing an upper leg injury since early August. The Colts brought in Derek Rivers to add some depth at defensive end, so it’s clear they’re preparing for the possibility that Avery might not be back soon.

And then there’s Raekwon Davis, still on the non-football illness list due to high blood pressure. It’s a tough situation, but Steichen is hopeful that Davis won’t miss any regular season games. As Steichen said, “He’s progressing well, so hopefully he’ll be out there sooner rather than later.” That’s the hope, at least, because Davis is a key piece on the defensive line. The Colts need him healthy if they’re going to make a serious run this season.

So, while Saturday’s game might not feature some of the big names you’d expect, it’s still a critical part of the preseason. It’s a chance for the backups, the rookies, and the hopefuls to show what they’ve got. And who knows? Maybe we’ll see a few surprise performances that make us all sit up and take notice. After all, the preseason is where careers can be made—or broken.