Colts Hosting QB On Redemption Arc for Pre-Draft 30 Visit

The Indianapolis Colts achieved the critical task this offseason of securing their starting quarterback when they re-signed Daniel Jones to a two-year deal. However, the Colts know as well as any team the value of having depth at the quarterback position.

Four different quarterbacks took snaps for the Colts last year, with injuries at the position a catalyst for a seven-game losing streak that ended the season, banishing the team from the playoffs for a fifth straight year.

The Colts are trying to avoid such a situation in 2026.

The team is hopeful that Jones will be available to start the season after suffering an Achilles injury in Week 14, but they may want more insurance behind him. Former sixth-round pick Riley Leonard returns for his second season, but Anthony Richardson Sr. is hoping to be traded out of Indianapolis. The only other quarterback on the roster is 2025 undrafted rookie Seth Henigan.

As a result, the Colts appear to be in the market for mid-level quarterback help, as they will host former LSU quarterback and 2026 NFL Draft hopeful Garrett Nussmeier in the near future for a pre-draft visit.

Nussmeier was recently a guest on The Insiders podcast with hosts Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport and gave an update on his upcoming schedule.

“I’ve got a lot of stuff coming up. I’ve got the Jets coming in the next couple of days here. I’ve got the Rams coming into town. I’m headed out to Indianapolis,” Nussmeier said. “I’ve got Zooms every day, and I’m sure there will be a couple more visits in there."

According to Pro Football Talk, the visits with the New York Jets and Los Angeles Rams are workouts, while the trip to Indianapolis is an official 30 visit with the Colts. Nussmeier may also attend medical rechecks held in Indianapolis every year during draft season.

Nussmeier entered last season as a likely early draft pick but ended it as a polarizing prospect. He dealt with a previously undisclosed injury that was ultimately described as an abdominal injury. It greatly affected his play and, therefore, his draft stock.

The son of New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, Garrett went from 311.7 passing yards per game, 29 touchdowns, and 7.7 yards per pass attempt in 13 games in 2024 to 214.1 passing yards per game, 12 touchdowns, and 6.7 yards per pass attempt in nine games in 2025.

Nussmeier has since shared a little more about the effects of what he dealt with.

"The injury occurred Day 2 of Fall camp last season, so really anytime I went to throw the football, there was a stabbing pain in my ab," Nussmeier told Pelissero and Rapoport. "We actually didn't know what it was, either, throughout the entire year. It's not the trainer's fault, it's not the doctor's fault here; it's just kind of a rare deal."

"I have discussed with teams what the actual injury was, now that we have the real diagnosis. All the teams have that information. I won't release that publicly, but it was a rare deal. It was a frustrating deal," Nussmeier continued. "As I said before, I'm a big believer in my faith, and it could've only happened if it was God's plan. I'm just thankful that I'm able to get back to being me now that I'm healthy and excited for whatever's next."

Since LSU's season ended, Nussmeier participated in the Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL, in January and was named the game's MVP. He also impressed with his on-field work at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

According to NFL Mock Draft Database, which collects consensus rankings from across the internet, Nussmeier is the most common QB3 in this year's draft behind Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson, and he is projected to be picked around the third round.

Now that Nussmeier is feeling like himself again — especially after admitting he had to "retrain everything from the ground up" due to creating bad habits while dealing with his injury — he is looking forward to proving himself to prospective teams.

"I’m just grateful to any organization that’s going to give me a chance," Nussmeier said.

This year's draft will take place between Thurs., April 23 and Sat, April 25 in Pittsburgh, PA.