The Indianapolis Colts are gearing up for an important stretch of evaluations over the next two weeks, which includes three joint practices and two preseason games. This period is crucial for several players looking to make an impression and secure their spots on the team. Among those who need to shine during these upcoming practices are cornerback Dallis Flowers, safety Nick Cross, tight end Jelani Woods, cornerbacks JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones, linebacker Isaiah Land, offensive guard Dalton Tucker, and offensive tackle Blake Freeland.

Flowers had a rough outing in the Colts' preseason opener, allowing four receptions on six targets for 54 yards and being penalized twice. With Jaylon Jones taking most of the starting cornerback snaps opposite JuJu Brents, Flowers needs to step up his performance during these upcoming practices to make a push for playing time.

Safety Nick Cross had mixed results in Sunday's game, excelling at free safety but struggling at strong safety. With all eyes on the free safety competition, Cross has been consistent in practice and maintained his starting role in the game. A strong performance in these upcoming practices could solidify his position as the starter next to Julian Blackmon.

Tight end Jelani Woods may face roster cuts, as the team is considering keeping only four tight ends. Woods has struggled to make big plays in practice and saw limited playing time with the third and fourth string offenses in the preseason game. He needs to make a positive impression during these crucial practice sessions to secure his spot on the roster.

Cornerbacks JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones are expected to start for the Colts this season. With Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. providing a challenging opposition in these joint practices, Brents and Jones need to showcase starter-level play to solidify their roles. Brents missed Friday's practice and Sunday's game due to an injury but has shown promising performance in previous sessions. Jones bounced back from an early completion allowed against Denver by recording a pass breakup later in the game.

Linebacker Isaiah Land made a strong impression in the preseason opener, recording one pressure and four tackles. His performance has put him in contention for a roster spot as the fifth defensive end if the team decides to carry that many players. Land's ability to generate pressure is a valuable asset, as he recorded 90 pressures in his final two seasons at Florida A&M.

Offensive guard Dalton Tucker, an undrafted rookie, saw significant playing time during the preseason opener, logging 45 snaps at right guard with the second team offensive line unit. With only one or two roster spots potentially available for offensive linemen, Tucker is competing against Danny Pinter for a spot on the 53-man roster. Tucker's versatility could give him an advantage if the Colts feel comfortable with Tanor Bortolini as the backup center.

Offensive tackle Blake Freeland had a challenging rookie season in 2023, often struggling in pass protection. In 17 pass-blocking snaps against Denver, Freeland surrendered three pressures, a quarterback hit, and was penalized once. He needs to bounce back in these upcoming practices to secure his role as the swing tackle.

The upcoming stretch of joint practices and preseason games is crucial for these eight players as they strive to make an impact and secure their spots on the Indianapolis Colts roster. With competitive reps and challenging opponents, this period offers valuable opportunities for evaluation and growth.