If you just scrolled through your TV guide or checked your sports app wondering what time do the colts play today, I have some news that might be a little frustrating.
The Indianapolis Colts aren’t playing today, Friday, January 16, 2026.
Honestly, the season came to a crashing halt faster than most of us expected. After that wild 7-1 start where everything seemed to be clicking, the wheels didn't just wobble—they fell off. Between the injuries to Daniel Jones and the defense losing Sauce Gardner, the momentum just evaporated. The Colts finished their 2025-2026 campaign with an 8-9 record after a tough Week 18 loss to the Houston Texans on January 4th.
Since they didn't make the postseason, the roster is already heading into offseason mode. While teams like the Bills and Broncos are prepping for the Divisional Round this weekend, the guys in Indy are mostly just looking at rehab schedules and contract talks.
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Why the Colts Aren't in the NFL Playoff Bracket
It’s been a weird year for the AFC South. While the Texans are moving on to face the Patriots this Sunday, the Colts are sitting at home for the third straight year under Shane Steichen.
The schedule for the Divisional Round is set, but you won't see any horseshoe helmets on the field. If you're looking for a football fix today, you're actually out of luck across the whole league. The NFL doesn't have any games scheduled for Friday. The real action kicks off tomorrow, Saturday, January 17th.
Here is what the actual playoff schedule looks like for the next 48 hours:
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- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET)
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET)
What the Colts Are Doing Instead of Playing
Just because there isn't a game doesn't mean the front office is sleeping. Chris Ballard has been pretty vocal lately about the "QB quandary" facing the team.
Daniel Jones, who was having a career-best year before that devastating Achilles tear in December, is heading into free agency. There's a lot of talk about a "mutual interest" in bringing him back, but he’s basically going to be rehabbing until training camp starts. Then you've got Anthony Richardson. His situation is... complicated. After that freak orbital bone injury and the vision issues that followed, his future as a starter feels more uncertain than ever.
Basically, the "game" for the Colts right now is played in meeting rooms. They’re looking at a salary cap with about $33 million in breathing room. That sounds like a lot until you realize they don't have a first-round pick this year or next because of the Sauce Gardner trade.
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When Will the Colts Play Again?
Since you can't find out what time do the colts play today, you're probably looking ahead to the 2026 season. We don't have the exact dates yet—the NFL usually drops the full schedule in mid-May—but we do know who they are playing.
Because the Colts finished third in the AFC South, their 2026 schedule is actually looking pretty brutal. They’ll be facing the AFC North and the NFC East. That means games against the Bengals, Ravens, Cowboys, and Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium. They also have to travel to face the Steelers and the Eagles.
Next steps for fans? Keep an eye on the legal tampering period in March. That's when we'll find out if Alec Pierce—who just put up a 1,000-yard season—is staying in Indy or chasing a massive payday elsewhere. You should also watch the scouting combine in late February. Even without those first-round picks, Ballard is going to have to find some gems in the mid-rounds to fix a secondary that got scorched in the final weeks of the season.
The pads won't be popping again until the preseason starts in August 2026. Until then, it's all about mock drafts and hoping Daniel Jones has a legendary recovery.
Check the official NFL standings or the Colts' team site for updates on the 2026 offseason workout dates, which usually start in April.