Coach Jim Caldwell made it clear Thursday that Curtis Painter his starter going forward regardless of Kerry Collins' health.

Painter's accuracy (48.5 percent) has been a problem, but his passer rating sits right at 100.0 after two starts. NFL Films guru Greg Cosell noted this week that Painter is beginning to look comfortable, making pre-snap reads, sporting the ability to throw at times with velocity and accuracy while also showing pocket poise and command. The only way Collins gets another shot is if Painter gets injured.

Curtis Painter completed 15-of-27 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns as the Colts fell to the Chiefs in Week 5.

Painter came out of the gates firing on all cylinders, completing 12-of-17 first-half passes for 237 yards and both scores, good for a near-perfect 152.2 passer rating. Something went terribly wrong at intermission, because Painter's throws were all over the place in the final two quarters. While Painter's footwork looked improved against the Chiefs, he's still just a two-QB league option. The Colts head to Cincinnati for Week 6.

Coach Jim Caldwell finally confirmed that Curtis Painter will start against the Chiefs this week.

"I probably didn't make myself clear earlier in the week," Caldwell said. "I said this early in the week, that yeah, there's no question, he's our starter, and he's practiced well." Painter may have Tamba Hali in his face all afternoon behind a patchwork offensive line. Only Blaine Gabbert is lower in Rotoworld's Week 5 fantasy rankings.

According to NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora "everybody in the locker room and everybody in the league" expects the Colts to continue to start Curtis Painter at quarterback.

Explained ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky on coach Jim Caldwell's unwillingness to name a starter Tuesday, "I think Caldwell's being respectful to [Kerry] Collins and will certainly stick with Painter." Bob Kravitz and Phillip Wilson of the Indianapolis Star also expect the Colts to stay with Painter after the first-time starter at least had a few bright moments Monday night.

Coach Jim Caldwell is not ready to anoint Curtis Painter as his starting quarterback for Week 5 against the Chiefs.

Painter's 43.3 completion percentage against the Bucs won't inspire confidence, but he still looked like an improvement on Kerry Collins due to his mobility and willingness to strike vertically. Beat writer Phillip Wilson is "guessing" that Caldwell will end up sticking with Painter. Either way, it should be a low-scoring game against the offensively challenged Chiefs.

Curtis Painter started against the Bucs on Monday night, completing 13-of-30 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns.

He didn't throw a pick, but it's not as if he didn't try with multiple passes thrown directly at defenders and one to Aqib Talib that should have gone for six the other way. Painter's footwork and decision-making are terrible, and he wouldn't have had the touchdowns or nearly the yards if not for blown coverages and bad tackling. With all of that said, Painter has a decent arm and more mobility than Kerry Collins. It may take a few games, but Painter could help thaw the ice off of some Colts fantasy players.

Coach Jim Caldwell confirmed Friday that Curtis Painter will make his first NFL start against the Bucs on Monday Night Football.

Kerry Collins (concussion) is still being evaluated and will miss Friday's practice. Caldwell indicated that it would be "tough to reclaim" his starting spot. In four career appearances, Painter is 13-of-39 (33.3 percent) for 143 yards, and a 0:2 TD-to-INT ratio with four sacks and three fumbles. Keep expectations low for the Colts offense while plucking the Bucs D/ST from the waiver wire.

Curtis Painter has not been told by coach Jim Caldwell that he will start this week's game.

There was speculation early in the week that Painter may get the call regardless of Kerry Collins' health. If that was the case, it would seem to follow that Painter would have the green light this late in the week. Instead, Caldwell has said only that "you've got to coach who shows up." As of Friday, Collins hasn't shown up.

Reggie Wayne reiterated his opinion Thursday that Curtis Painter deserves to be starting over Kerry Collins.

"It took me two years to learn this offense," Wayne said. "Now, you mean to tell me you're gonna bring in somebody and he's gonna learn it in 18 days? ... Our whole motto's always been 'the next man up.' And then we went and got somebody else. I'm like, 'Well, that's not how we roll, really.'" It looks like Wayne will finally get his wish this week.

The Colts are preparing as if Curtis Painter will start Monday night's game against the Bucs.

Kerry Collins missed Thursday's practice, and coach Jim Caldwell confirmed that the veteran is still recovering from his apparent concussion in Week 3. It's hard to believe Painter would fare substantially worse than Collins in his first career start. The Bucs D/ST is an attractive plug 'n' play this week regardless.

On in relief of an injured Kerry Collins, Curtis Painter completed 5-of-11 passes for 60 yards in Sunday's loss to the Steelers.

Painter looked very much like a man with just 28 career attempts to his name, missing badly on a number of throws while losing a fumble that Troy Polamalu would return for a touchdown. With the Colts down to their last chance with four seconds remaining, he bounced a pass off the turf. However, he did display good timing with Pierre Garcon, finding his No. 3 receiver for a trio of completions on Indy's final drive, and appeared far more mobile and quick thinking than Collins. He won't significantly lessen the Colts chances of picking up their first victory if he's forced to start in Week 4.

Colts owner Jim Irsay tweeted Saturday "what VET QB would u vote 4 to sign that's out there? If sum1 has 2 hold the fort early season,who u going with?"

It's a blatant stab at backup QBs Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky, though certainly not unwarranted considering the ineptitude both showed in the first two preseason games. Indy would be in trouble if Peyton Manning (neck surgery) starts missing real games, and signs are pointing to them bringing a veteran aboard. For what it's worth, Irsay also tweeted that the team would not be drafting former Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor.

According to ex-scout and current NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks, the ineptitude of Colts QBs Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky was "on full display" in the preseason opener.

"Painter, in particular, looks unprepared to handle the responsibility of directing the offense as a starter," writes Brooks. "He is repeatedly late with the delivery of his throws, and his ball placement leaves something to be desired." Orlovsky had more success moving the offense, completing 4-of-10 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown, but was also picked twice.

Club president Bill Polian acknowledged Wednesday that the Colts will have to carry three quarterbacks on their active roster this season as insurance behind Peyton Manning (neck surgery).

The Colts have historically carried only Jim Sorgi, then Curtis Painter. "In our case, now because of Peyton's situation, we'll probably have to carry a third quarterback," Polian said. "We've never done it before really, we've had that guy on the practice squad." Polian described Painter's training camp performance as "terrific." Dan Orlovsky is the third-stringer, although he may pass Painter eventually.

The Colts are interested in adding competition for Curtis Painter as their backup quarterback this offseason.

Curtis Painter has never inspired confidence in spot regular season action or the preseason, and the Colts put TCU quarterback Andy Dalton through a private, pre-draft workout Monday afternoon. Dalton won't be an option for Indy at No. 22 overall, but they could consider him should he fall to round two.

Curtis Painter finished 5-of-6 for 97 yards and a touchdown against the Bills in Thursday's preseason game.

Finally a performance on which Painter can build, even if it was mostly the result of Taj Smith beating Ellis Lankster deep on back-to-back plays. At least Painter put the ball where his receiver could make a play. He'll enter the season as Peyton Manning's backup.

Colts coach Jim Caldwell has expressed confidence in No. 2 quarterback Curtis Painter despite the signal caller's rough showing Sunday.

"He's still our second-string quarterback," Caldwell said. "We believe in him." Painter was outplayed by Tom Brandstater Sunday, but wasn't mistake-free, either. Luckily for the Colts, Peyton Manning never misses a game, because this backup situation is one of the ugliest in the league.

Colts No. 2 QB Curtis Painter completed 9-of-19 passes for just 64 yards and three interceptions in the team's preseason opener.

Peyton Manning had better not get hurt, which is certainly a concern with two Colts offensive linemen out indefinitely.. The 49ers accumulated nearly twice as many yards on Painter's interceptions (111) as Painter had passing. He also botched a handoff late in the second quarter.

Colts president Bill Polian firmly said that Curtis Painter is his backup quarterback.

"We like what Curtis has done and we're committed to him," Polian said. The Colts acquired Tom Brandstater off waivers from the Broncos, but it sounds like he'll only stick if Indy keeps three quarterbacks. Painter was a disaster in spot duty behind Peyton Manning last season.

Curtis Painter is set to enter training camp as Peyton Manning's backup.

Painter was horrific in spot duty as a rookie last season, so he'll have to earn the job. The problem for the Colts is that the only other in-house candidates are fringe players Drew Willy and Tim Hiller. They'll simply pray Peyton plays in all 16 games for the 13th straight season.