Hey there Colts’ fans! Here are my thoughts on the Colts as they finish up their third week of training camp:

ROSTER: No real roster changes have taken place in camp thus far, and no big promotions or demotions have been made to date. Status quo, mostly.

CAMP: The Indianapolis pass rush has been consistently frustrating QB Anthony Richardson and the veteran O-line more often than not in camp. This, I believe, is more of a reason to consider the Colts as a sneaky fantasy defense in 2024 than it is any concern about Richardson or the offensive line. The playmakers have had their moments, but the deep front four has bene a factor. Don’t sleep on the Colts, especially with some favorable games in the first half of the season. All the starters that are healthy are expected to play one or two series in the preseason opener at home on Sunday, so this could be a chance to see a recovered Richardson operating behind the first team O-line with a near full complement of weapons.

INJURIES: The big one was the high ankle sprain ankle injury to WR Josh Downs, who took a hit from young DB Nick Cross that is going to knock him out for a while. Coach Steichen has refused to place a timeline on his return, but competent observers estimated that it may be a 4-6 week sort of injury, threatening his availability for the season opener. With Downs out of the lineup at practice, rookie WR Adonai Mitchell has been lining up in the slot with the first unit and has looked sharp; he and WR Alec Pierce had been splitting reps on the outside with the first unit until Downs absence required a little filling in, and Pierce has had a really great week leading up the first preseason game. Special teams ace and backup WR Ashton Dulin has missed several days of practice this week with a hamstring strain. The team did lose veteran backup OC Wesley French to season-ending surgery, which weakens a unit that has some age along the front line. Freakish TE Jelani Woods missed the entire 2023 season with hamstring issues, but has been in every practice so far, making for some interesting potential mismatch opportunities when he is on the field. DT Raekwon Davis was placed on the PUP list in late July along with CB Chris Lammons, but Lammons was removed from that list just this week.

ROOKIES: Mitchell has been consistently running with the starters, as mentioned above, and has made the flash plays in camp. Coach Steichen has several times mentioned that he can line up just about anywhere and the coaches feel comfortable with his understanding of the playbook and ability to create separation. On the other side of the ball, DE Laiatu Latu has been playing as the backup to DE KwityPaye, and the first unofficial depth chart shows him as such. WR Anthony Gould has done a little bit of slot work with the second unit, but he likely is going to be the primary return option – possibly even after Downs returns to the field. His electricity is noticeable when he is in the open field. OL Tanor Bortolini was lining up at both guard and center, and may be asked to be OC Ryan Kelly’s primary backup with the loss of French.

That is all for now. I will be back in a couple weeks to see what comes out of the first two preseason games – hopefully a clean bill of health!! Until then friends…..GO COLTS!!!!

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