As the Indianapolis Colts turn from Week 7 into Week 8, Colts.com pointed to two young players worth watching in the Jaguars Vs Colts matchup: Deion Burks and Jaylahn Tuimoloau. The focus makes sense. Burks has already carved out a role on offense after making the 53-man roster, while Tuimoloau is coming off a disruptive Week 7 showing that added another layer to Indianapolis' depth on defense.
Burks' appeal has been about more than just his 4.30 40-yard dash speed. He has shown enough versatility to matter in different ways, even with limited offensive production. Through his early work, he has 4 catches for 58 yards and 3 rushing attempts for 21 yards, but the bigger story is how he has earned trust. Reggie Wayne has praised Burks as a blocker, saying he's “a hell of a blocker” and noting how valuable that effort can be when a receiver does the dirty work away from the ball.
That blocking showed up in Week 4, when Burks helped spring Jonathan Taylor by taking on Joshua Josephs and helping the run get upfield. For a rookie receiver, that kind of play can matter just as much as a catch. It helps explain why Burks has stayed in the mix and why the Colts continue to look for ways to use him, whether that is on gadget plays, reverses or occasional shots downfield.
There is also a larger context around Burks' place on the roster. Indianapolis has invested in its offensive line and skill group over multiple drafts, building around players such as Bernhard Raimann, Matt Goncalves, Tanor Bortolini and Jalen Travis. In that setting, a fourth-to-final pick who can contribute in a variety of ways becomes even more useful. Burks does not need to be the primary option to matter, but he does need to keep stacking useful snaps.
Tuimoloau's Week 7 impact gives Indianapolis another name to monitor
Tuimoloau is in a different role, but the same basic idea applies. Lou Anarumo said he was pleased with the run effort and pointed to the first drive against the Minnesota Vikings as an example of the rookie making an impact. That kind of disruption can be important in a matchup that may come down to which team handles the line of scrimmage better.
For the Colts, Tuimoloau's growth is part of the larger Week 8 conversation. Burks offers value through effort, speed and versatility. Tuimoloau offers value through run defense and disruption. Neither player is carrying the offense or defense on his own, but both are working into roles that can influence how Indianapolis attacks games moving forward.
That is what makes the Jaguars Vs Colts preview useful. It is not just about the headline names. It is also about the younger players whose contributions can shift a game, deepen a rotation and shape decisions later in the season. Burks and Tuimoloau fit that description, and Week 8 gives both another chance to show why they belong on the watch list.
