Hey there Colts’ fans! Here are my thoughts a couple of weeks into training camp, and with their first preseason game under their belts:

PRESEASON GAME: It’s hard to make a lot of sense out of the first preseason game since so few normal things occur. The Colts played a few starters on Thursday night, while the Ravens played no one of real consequence throughout the game. Rookie TE Tyler Warren was targeted often, and even against second stringers, he clearly showed that he is the real deal and belongs in the NFL. He was targeted on the first pass by both Richardson and Jones under center. He looked smooth and quick, and seemed to get open well, running with some oomph once he caught the ball. Young PK Spencer Schrader clearly is well ahead of Trujillo in the kicking battle, and looked solid and strong. He may be a sleeper pick at kicker, and is certainly a solid matchup play when indoors especially late in the season. Another rookie, backup RB DJ Giddens really struggled in both pass protection and rushing the ball, although he did not have a lot of help in front of him on the line. With the top three receivers sitting, second year WR Adonai Mitchell continued his impressive camp, and was able to beat anyone they put in front of him. He might be a sleeper pick, and definitely should be owned in all dynasty league formats. Rookie 3^rd string QB Riley Leonard established himself as a fan favorite and surely will make the roster, especially with Richardson’s injury history, although he might be a game day inactive most weeks. Two rookies on defense played a lot of snaps and looked solid: S Hunter Wohlers was physical and led the team in tackles while playing both safety and linebacker, and DE JT Tuimoloau registered a ton of impact plays and pressures. Overall, the team looked inconsistent and often settled for FGs, but the real concern was the atrocious special teams coverage that allowed multiple long returns including a long punt return TD.

QUARTERBACK: QB Anthony Richardson got he start and was expected to play into the 2^nd quarter with QB Daniel Jones taking over until around the end of the 3^rd quarter. However, AR5 got crushed on sack when a blown assignment gave an untouched rusher a full-force hit, and in the process, dislocated his right pinky in a grisly looking manner. They put it back and he was supposed to return to practice in Saturday night’s session, so the team figures it is not serious. Richardson was 2-3 in limited action, with both completions going to Warren. Jones, meanwhile got a more extended look and was uninspiring after showing up well in camp most days. The situation is probably now just as murky as before. It will be interesting to see if Richardson gets his extended playing time in the second preseason game instead, or if they protect him even more; he will be playing with more starters potentially in that game at the outset.

INJURIES: The biggest one is of course the Richardson finger injury. Also in the game, Tuimoloau had a knee tweak and left the game without returning, but there has been no indication it was a serious injury. There were three injuries during the week at practice, one of which was important. RB Salvon Ahmed offered a little experience and depth at running back, but was a roster longshot; he unfortunately blew up his ankle after being a victim of a hip-drop tackle in practice. Backup CB David Long played 13 games in 2024 for the Colts, but also was placed on IR with a groin injury, and then subsequently waived/injured. The bigger loss was rookie CB Justin Walley who added much-needed depth to the secondary. He was having a very solid camp, but he tore his ACL in Tuesday’s practice and is lost for the season. Two of the top corners (CB Jaylon Jones and CB JuJu Brents) have each out for a week with hamstring injuries, with Jones being the more severe. Top corner and free agent signee CB Charvarius Ward also has been sitting all week with leg tightness, really challenging the team depth. Meanwhile, the top three receivers are also sidelined with a variety of mostly minor dings, but WR Michael Pittman (groin) was the only one to miss extended practice time over the last week. The NFL’s leading 2024 tackler LB Zaire Franklin is still working his way into form after offseason surgery to repair an ankle injury from last season.

ROSTER: To address some of the shortages in the secondary, the Colts resigned veteran CB Chris Lammons, who appeared in 12 games for them last season, and undrafted rookie CB BJ Mayes out of Texas A&M. Looking at other injuries they also added young OT Marcellus Johnson, uniting him on the roster with his brother DL Eric Johnson, and undrafted RB Nate Noel out of Missouri. Both are longshots to stay on the roster, barring more injuries.

LOOKING AHEAD: The biggest point of interest will be to see if Richardson gets some extended play at quarterback next week against the Packers at home. It remains to be seen which of the top receiving targets will be there if AR5 plays, and how many starting linemen will be protecting him. Similarly, I would imagine that the defense likely will still be without most of their top corners, although they have shown some improved depth (especially on the front line) by their second unit holding their own with the Raven’s B-team in the first half last week.

That is all for this week from the Crossroads of America. Good luck in any drafts taking place this week!

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