Colts name Spencer Shrader starting kicker, giving Indianapolis a settled kicking spot heading into Week 1
After returning from a season-ending knee injury, second-year kicker Spencer Shrader won the preseason battle and will open the season as the Colts’ starter. Shrader went a perfect 5-for-5 in the preseason, including two 60-plus yard kicks.
Spencer Shrader, in his second NFL season, will begin the year as the Indianapolis Colts’ placekicker after a competitive preseason. He started last season 13-for-14 on field goals before suffering torn ACL and MCL ligaments in his right knee on a hit during a game against the Raiders, an injury that ended his year. This preseason he converted all five field-goal attempts and drilled two kicks of 60 yards or longer.
Shrader said the kicking competition with Blake Grupe was mentally taxing and that he leaned on reading, prayer and a strong support system to stay focused. He described the decision to name him starter as slow to sink in after being told by Mase (Brian Mason). The Colts open at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 13 against the Baltimore Ravens.
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Source date recorded as September 3, 2026 at 8:00 PM EDT. A sourced news brief; no independent staff reporting is implied. Prepared with AI assistance; source-dependent claims remain attributed in the article.
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