Three important decisions the Colts must make before regular season

After injuries at critical positions dampened what turned out to be a 9-8 finish last season, the Indianapolis Colts return for the 2024 campaign relatively healthy and re-energized. While there are few roster holes to speak of, that doesn't mean there aren't crucial moves left to make.

With that in mind, here are three important decisions the Colts must make before the start of the regular season.

Ensuring that Anthony Richardson is 100 percent for Week 1

Doctors have cleared Richardson for practice following a shoulder injury, which required surgery and cut his first year short after only five weeks. Meanwhile, general manager Chris Ballard has said that the team isn't expecting the former No. 4 overall pick to face any " limitations " during training camp.

Still, the Colts are in a tough spot, as there's a delicate balance between showing too much caution and throwing it to the wind. Should Richardson have a setback or be understandably rusty after not taking a meaningful snap since October 2023, it could put Indianapolis behind the eight ball early.

The start of the Colts' 2024 schedule is challenging, to say the least, beginning at home against C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans before traveling to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers, led by the newly crowned highest-paid quarterback in NFL history, Jordan Love.

Choosing a backup running back

It might seem unimportant, but the Colts should be concerned about the depth, or lack thereof, behind starting running back Jonathan Taylor.

Trey Sermon may have the best shot at earning the No. 2 role, especially since he and head coach Shane Steichen are already familiar due to their shared time with the Philadelphia Eagles. He also has the experience advantage over the rest of the field, which includes two second-year backs, 2023 fifth-rounder Evan Hull and undrafted free agent Tyler Goodson. However, that isn't saying much, considering Sermon has only 346 rushing yards (78 attempts) and a touchdown over 25 career games, while Hull and Goodson have combined for 87 yards on 13 attempts (seven games).

Taylor is an incredible talent, but it's hard to ignore his injury history, having played only one full season during his four-year NFL career. The Colts have left themselves with little to fall back on, and if no one stands out in camp, they may have to make a move ahead of Week 1.

Figure out free safety

Julian Blackmon has one of the two starting spots locked up, but free safety remains up for grabs. Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas are the best options for the role, which might have the Colts searching for an upgrade.

Thomas started for most of 2023 but struggled, finishing with the highest yard per reception against ( 21.2 ) among safeties who played 50 percent or more of their team's snaps. Cross received the starting nod over the season's final two weeks, but wasn't overly impressive, notching five tackles while earning a dismal 30.4 grade from Pro Football Focus in the Colts season finale against the Houston Texans.

Ballard said signing a safety was "definitely" a possibility. But, for now, he and the team seem content to let either Cross or Thomas win the job outright.