Colts Vs. Rams: Game Time, TV Schedule, Position Battles And More

Indianapolis Colts Vs. St. Louis Rams

The Colts will travel to St. Louis to play the Rams this Saturday night in week one of the 2011 NFL preseason schedule. Their quarterback, Peyton Manning, arguably the best quarterback in the league, will not be a part of the game, though. He's still recovering from an offseason neck procedure and is listed on the team's physically unable to perform list (PUP). Starting in his place will be Curtis Painter, who is entering his third year in the league. While Manning will sit this one out, a few key players will be making their return to the field. Tight end Dallas Clark and wide receivers Austin Collie and Anthony Gonzalez, all coming off of injury plagued seasons, have been practicing and will play against the Rams on Saturday. Also, look for Anthony Castonzo, the team's first-round draft pick, to begin making his push to rival Jeff Linkenback as the team's left tackle and Manning's blind-side protector.

For the Rams, second-year quarterback Sam Bradford, the 2010 Offensive Rookie of the Year, will be leading his team under new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, and the main focus on the offseason, including the draft, has been to surround Bradford with weapons, both at the receivers positions and in the backfield. At wide receiver, third and fourth-round picks Austin Pettis and Greg Salas will compete for roles on the team, though Salas has been suffering from a hamstring injury this week and may sit out. They'll be joined by recently acquired free agent Mike Sims-Walker. At tight end, second-round pick Lance Kendricks is second on the depth chart behind Billy Bajema, but has been taking some reps with the team's first-string offense and could officially take the starting job soon. In the backfield, Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood will try to carve out some playing time behind Steven Jackson.