Colts Training Camp Journal, Day 4: No Anthony Richardson as Pads Come On for First Time
The second week of Indianapolis Colts training camp got underway on Monday as the team donned their pads for the first time of the summer.
The offense was without star rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, however, as he underwent a procedure on his nose to correct his nasal septum. The team hopes to have him back out on the field Tuesday.
While the Colts only had their upper-body pads and helmets on, it is part of the team's plan to ramp up the intensity, including the physicality and length, of practices as camp develops.
TEAM
— Richardson, strong safety Julian Blackmon (hamstring), rookie cornerbacks JuJu Brents (hamstring) and Darius Rush (shoulder), defensive end Samson Ebukam (hamstring), and rookie offensive tackle Jake Witt (hip) all missed practice. Tight end Jelani Woods (hamstring) and running back Zack Moss (arm) were both injured during practice and didn't return to the playing field. Running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis (knee) both remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
— Moss, who is RB1 with Taylor out, came out of a play holding his right arm before throwing his helmet down in frustration (with the other hand). After practice, NFL Network's Mike Garofolo reported that it's a broken arm for Moss, who is now expected to be out for about six weeks. He's had a solid camp to this point and still has a good opportunity ahead as long as Tayor is out.
— Rookie tight end Will Mallory (foot) was removed from the PUP list and participated in practice on Monday for the first time during camp.
— With pads coming on for the first time, the practice was clearly more physical than it had been previously. The defense particularly took advantage of this, delivering some big blows throughout the morning. In one instance, linebacker Zaire Franklin gave Moss a big pop on a short completion while linebacker Segun Olubi later lowered a boom on Mallory along the sideline after the rookie made the first camp catch of his young career. The offense also got in on the action as rookie running back Evan Hull trucked cornerback Kenny Moore II near the end of one play after making a reception.
OFFENSE
— With Richardson out, Gardner Minshew took all of the first-team reps, going 6-of-7 passing (85.7%) in 11-on-11s with completions to Moss (3), Michael Pittman Jr., Deon Jackson, and Drew Ogletree.
— The primary theoretical first-unit offensive players were as follows: Gardner Minshew (QB), Zack Moss (RB), Michael Pittman Jr. (WR), Alec Pierce (WR), Jelani Woods (TE), Mo Alie-Cox (TE), Bernhard Raimann (LT), Quenton Nelson (LG), Ryan Kelly (C), Will Fries (RG), and Braden Smith (RT). Josh Downs (WR), Isaiah McKenzie (WR), Ashton Dulin (WR), Mike Strachan (WR), Kylen Granson (TE), and Drew Ogletree (TE) all got some reps as well.
— The second-unit line was made up of Arlington Hambright (LT), Wesley French (LG), Danny Pinter (C), Emil Ekiyor (RG), and Blake Freeland (RT). The third group was Matthew Vanderslice (LT), Carter O'Donnell (LG), Dakoda Shepley (C), Wesley French (RG), and Jordan Murray (RT).
— Arguably the biggest play of the day came at the hand of quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who saw extended action behind Minshew in Richardson's absence. Defensive tackle McTelvin bulled forward with a would-be sack of Ehlinger but the QB continued the play and launched the ball about 50 yards downfield, off-balance to wide receiver Ethan Fernea for a score.
— Receiver Ashton Dulin made a really tough catch along the sideline while covered by rookie cornerback Jaylon Jones during 7-on-7s. Dulin also, however, had another drop during practice, which makes it about 2-3 during live drills throughout camp.
— Rookie receiver Josh Downs made a nifty one-handed catch during live drills.
— Rookie undrafted receiver Kody Case continues to catch my eye. Previously it was for his route running, but today it was for coming down with an acrobatic sideline catch during live drills. He also contributes as a return specialist, so he'll be one to keep an eye on during the preseason.
— Running backs Hull and Jake Funk took advantage of Taylor and Moss being out, as both broke free for what appeared to be legitimate long runs as they followed their blocking and separated from defenders.
DEFENSE
— The primary theoretical first-unit defensive players were as follows: Dayo Odeyingbo (DE), DeForest Buckner (DT), Grover Stewart (DT), Kwity Paye (DE), Zaire Franklin (LB), E.J. Speed (LB), Kenny Moore II (NCB), Dallis Flowers (CB), Darrell Baker Jr. (CB), Rodney Thomas II (FS), and Nick Cross (SS).
— With this practice being padded and more physical, linebacker Shaquille Leonard is not yet participating in 11-of-11s, although he did resume his starting role during 7-on-7s. The defense put Franklin and Speed at MIKE and WILL linebacker, respectively, during 11-on-11s while Grant Stuard manned the SAM/OTTO role.
— The cornerback depth chart is wide open around Moore right now, and Baker is taking advantage. On Monday, he went toe-to-toe with Pittman and broke up two passes at the catch point, which shows a level of confidence that not every cornerback possesses. Many corners allow the catch and then focus on bringing the receiver down immediately after.
— The defenses had a solid day of providing pressure on the backfield, as Cross had a sack on a safety blitz, there were two "group sacks," Al-Quadin Muhammad had one, as did Agim.
SPECIAL TEAMS
— We saw special teams kick field goals for the first time in camp. Kickers Matt Gay and Lucas Havrisik were both perfect on the day on field goals, converting from 33, 40, 44, and 51 yards. Gay added another from 55 yards.
Follow Jake on Twitter and Facebook @JakeArthurNFL. Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and Twitter.
