Colts Training Camp Journal, Day 13: Defense Sets the Tone
Training camp 2023 is now in the books for the Indianapolis Colts as they wrapped up their second day of joint practices with the Chicago Bears.
As could be expected, it was a physical practice, and after cooler heads often prevailed on Wednesday, some players lost their tempers on Thursday as there were a couple of skirmishes and shoving matches.
I was in attendance and now provide my notes from the sidelines.
TEAM
— The team announced on Thursday afternoon that they placed wide receiver Ashton Dulin on Injured Reserve, which was reportedly due to a torn ACL. In his place, they signed wide receiver Tyler Adams.
— The following players missed practice: wide receiver Malik Turner (undisclosed), wide receiver Vyncint Smith (undisclosed), running back Zack Moss (arm), linebacker Segun Olubi (head), linebacker Shaquille Leonard (undisclosed), offensive lineman Will Fries (calf), center Ryan Kelly (foot), tight end Jelani Woods (hamstring), tight end Mo Alie-Cox (ankle), tight end Drew Ogletree (shoulder), defensive end Genard Avery (undisclosed), defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (foot). Running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) is the last player remaining on the PUP list but is away from the team with an excused absence.
— The following players left practice early with apparent injuries: wide receiver Mike Strachan and tight end Ricky Seals-Jones. Tight end Pharaoh Brown also appeared to be dismissed from practice after being involved in altercations on consecutive plays.
— The 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills focused primarily on red zone, high red zone, and offenses backed up into their own 25-yard line.
OFFENSE
— Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson had another hard-earned day against Bears head coach Matt Eberflus' 2-high defense. Richardson went 2-of-6 passing (33.3%) during 11s with completions to Deon Jackson and Kylen Granson. However, there were three completions called back due to ineligible man downfield penalties — much to head coach Shane Steichen's chagrin — including would-be touchdowns to Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. Also during 11s, Richardson had a draw for what looked like it would've been a legitimate 15-yard touchdown run. During 7s, Richardson lasered a pass to Evan Hull on the left side of the end zone for a score. Richardson didn't have any interceptions on the day, but he did have a ball stripped from him on a scramble, which the Bears also recovered.
— Quarterback Gardner Minshew was 5-of-9 passing (55.6%) with completions to Isaiah McKenzie (2), Will Mallory, Downs, and a touchdown to Amari Rodgers. During the portion of 11s while the offense was backed up in their own territory, Minshew took three sacks in a row. There were also dropped touchdown catches during 7s thrown by Minshew to Rodgers and Juwann Winfree.
— The primary first-unit offense was: Anthony Richardson (QB), Deon Jackson (RB), Michael Pittman Jr. (WR), Alec Pierce (WR), Isaiah McKenzie (WR), Kylen Granson (TE), Pharaoh Brown (TE), Bernhard Raimann (LT), Quenton Nelson (LG), Danny Pinter (C), Arlington Hambright (RG), Braden Smith (RT).
— After Downs was the primary first-team slot receiver during the two previous practices this week, it was back to being McKenzie on Thursday, although both players did get first-team reps.
— The second-unit line featured Blake Freeland (LT), Carter O'Donnell (LG), Wesley French (C), Will Fries (RG), and Dan Skipper (RT).
DEFENSE
— The primary first-unit defense was: Samson Ebukam (LEO), Taven Bryan (3T), Grover Stewart (NT), Kwity Paye (DE), Zaire Franklin (MIKE), E.J. Speed (WILL), Grant Stuard (OTTO), Kenny Moore II (NCB), Darrell Baker Jr. (CB), Dallis Flowers (CB), Rodney Thomas II (FS), and Nick Cross (SS).
— Paye had an active couple of days against the Bears and was all over the backfield again on Thursday, racking up sacks in back-to-back days. Dayo Odeyingbo also had a big run stuff late in practice.
— Speed came away with a one-handed interception off of a Justin Fields throw that was tipped by Cross. Cross had a terrific week of practice, intercepting two passes on Wednesday and making some big plays Thursday. It was the most confident and fiery I've seen him in his time in Indianapolis.
— Colts safety Henry Black also had an interception at the end of practice, tracking an errant pass by Bears quarterback P.J. Walker over the middle of the field.
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