Here is what you need to know on Wednesday, September 12, four days before the Washington Redskins play their 2018 home opener against the Colts.

Consider These:

Here is some of what you should know about the Redskins’ upcoming opponent.

1. Andrew Luck appears to be healthy

At his point, Luck literally is the Colts’ franchise quarterback because they have so little talent elsewhere. After missing all of 2017 with a shoulder injury, Luck appears to have regained the form that had him in the top 10 of NFL quarterbacks, at least for one game. He passed 53 times in a game that his team led for most of the first three quarters. Luck wasn’t great, throwing an interception and averaging just 6 yards per attempt, but it was an encouraging return for the top pick in the 2012 draft.

2. Colts built their interior OL like Scot McCloughan wanted to

In 2016, it was common knowledge that the former Redskins GM wanted to draft center Ryan Kelly to put alongside former fifth overall pick Brandon Scherff in the interior of the offensive line. The Colts took Kelly before the Redskins went on the clock. This year, the Colts took guard Quenton Nelson with the sixth overall pick. They essentially have the interior line that McCloughan wanted. Injuries have hampered Kelly’s career so far. He missed nine games last year with a foot injury and a concussion.

3. The Colts lack an impact defender

Maybe Kelly and Nelson will work out for the Colts, but in this past draft they really could have used that sixth pick for help on defense. Perhaps LB Roquan Smith would have been a better pick or maybe CB Minkah Fitzpatrick. They just have no impact players. Defensive end Jabaal Sheard had 5.5 sacks last year. Nobody else currently on the roster had more than three. They cut Jonathan Hankins, their best run stopper. Safety Malik Hooker was their first-round pick last year and he may be good at some point, but injuries cost him nine games last year. In 2017 they were 30th in both yards and points allowed and they may not be much better this year.

4. Ryan Grant led the Colts in receptions in their opener

Yes, the player who had nine receptions in 16 games with the Redskins in 2016 caught eight passes for 59 yards against the Bengals on Sunday. It was an odd departure from Washington for Grant, who did rebound last year to catch 43 passes for 573 yards last year. He clearly was a favorite of Jay Gruden’s, but the team never made much of an effort to retain him when his contract was up last March. The Ravens had a four-year offer worth $29 million on the table for him that they pulled back when they said he failed his physical. He took some visits after that and ended up with a one-year, $5 million deal with the Colts. The Redskins never got in on the market for him. With only three healthy wide receivers right now, the Redskins could use a guy like Grant.

Trending on social

Chris Thompson has 175 career rushing attempts and an average of 5.4 yards/carry. Of RBs with at least 150 career rushing attempts Thompson’s average is tied for the highest since 1970 with Bo Jackson, Jamaal Charles, and Hokie Gajan. — Rich Tandler (@TandlerNBCS) September 11, 2018

The agenda

Today: Alex Smith press conference 12 p.m.; Practice 1 p.m.; Jay Gruden press conference and open locker room after practice, approx. 3 p.m.

Upcoming: Home opener vs. Colts (Sept. 16) 4 days; Packers @ Redskins (Sept. 23) 11; Redskins @ Saints (October 8) 26

In case you missed it

Stay up to date on the Redskins. Rich Tandler is locked into the team 365 days a year. Like his Facebook page, Facebook.com/TandlerNBCS and follow him on Twitter @TandlerNBCS and on Instagram @RichTandler.