Colts Camp Notebook Day 10: Passing Offense Flourishes

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INDIANAPOLIS – With that, the book is closed on Colts vs. Colts practices at Grand Park.

Sunday will bring the preseason opener for the Colts, and just two practices remain (joint sessions with the Arizona Cardinals) in the 2024 training camp.

Here are some takeaways from Day 10 of Colts training camp:

• After several days where the defense got the best of the Colts offense, Friday might have been the finest passing day of camp for the Colts. Anthony Richardson was 15-of-18, completing several of those balls well down the field. The 15 Richardson completions went to the following guys: Michael Pittman Jr. (5), AD Mitchell (3), Alec Pierce (3), Trey Sermon (3), Jonathan Taylor. It should be noted the defense was without DeForest Buckner and JuJu Brents for rest days, but the Colts offense still operated nicely with Josh Downs on the mend. Through 10 days of camp, Richardson is 74-of-112 in team drills, completing his passes to Michael Pittman Jr. (19), Josh Downs (10), Kylen Granson (9), AD Mitchell (9), Alec Pierce (8), Mo Alie-Cox (4), Jonathan Taylor (5), Trey Sermon (4), Anthony Gould (2), Drew Ogletree (2), Jelani Woods (1), Will Mallory (1), Evan Hull (1).

• The Colts will play their starters around 1-2 series on Sunday, per Shane Steichen. So yes, Anthony Richardson will play in his first football since October 8, 2023. The head coach added the Colts will likely sit 1-2 starters, but the vast majority will play. In last year’s preseason opener, the Colts offense played 3 series (29 snaps) and the defense played 2 series (6 snaps).

• Friday was definitely the best combined practice for Alec Pierce and AD Mitchell, with both routinely working with the starting offense. Pierce hauled in several contested catches down the field, while Mitchell actually operated in the slot, as the Colts look for some (potentially needed) answers with Downs going to miss some time. Colts teammates laud the “wiggle” and “release” ability of Mitchell, so his skillset is certainly worth taking a look at in more of that slot/underneath role. On Friday, Mitchell had little problem creating some space with Richardson finding him on all 3 targets. This is something to keep an eye on as the Colts progress through August. Shane Steichen said the Colts will be very interchangeable at the slot with Downs sidelined.

• Now 10 days into camp, the Colts will head into their first preseason game much more confused about the starter at free safety, and still having yet to make an outside of the building move at that position. On Friday, the Colts had 3 separate periods of the starting offense vs. the starting defense. And in those 3 periods, the Colts had 3 different safeties playing next to Julian Blackmon. Nick Cross continues to get the start, but he exited after one drive. Rodney Thomas II saw action next. And, finally, it was Ronnie Harrison Jr. getting a starting look, which pushed Blackmon back to free safety. I guess Cross is still the favorite here, but by no means is this position a finished answer as the Colts start to dial back the practice schedule, and hit 3 preseason games in 13 days.

• Outside of not hauling in a catchable pass early on Friday, Jelani Woods had one of his more productive plays of camp. Still though, there are definitely multiple tight ends ahead of Woods on the depth chart as the first preseason game arrives.

• Punt returner took on some extra focus on Friday with Josh Downs out. The returners were: Anthony Gould, Dallis Flowers and Ethan Fernea. Gould took the first reps with Downs out.

• Shane Steichen was gushing after practice on Friday of Jonathan Taylor’s vision saying he’s not sure he’s seen anything like it at running back. Taylor has been full go in all 10 training camp sessions this year. What will Anthony Richardson do for Taylor? Again, that Richardson and Taylor dynamic could arguably be the Colts’ greatest weapon this season. Remember what Richardson did for Zack Moss last year (Richardson and Taylor played just 2 snaps together)? Moss averaged a full yard per carry better with Richardson at QB, compared to Gardner Minshew. Not known as a home run hitter, Moss ripped off a 56-yard TD run last year against the Titans, largely thanks to several of the Tennessee defenders being so concerned about the run threat of Richardson. Taylor is easily more of the home run hitter than Moss, so having Richardson next to No. 28 should strike some serious big play fear into opposing defenses.

• Here is how the starting offense looked on Friday: QB-Anthony Richardson, RB-Jonathan Taylor, WR-Alec Pierce, WR-Michael Pittman Jr. WR-AD Mitchell, TE-Mo Alie-Cox, LT-Bernhard Raimann, LG-Quenton Nelson, C-Ryan Kelly, RG-Will Fries, RT-Braden Smith.

• Here is how the starting defense looked on Friday: DE-Tyquan Lewis, DT-Grover Stewart, DT-Taven Bryan, DE-Kwity Paye, LB-Zaire Franklin, LB-E.J. Speed, CB-Kenny Moore II, CB-Dallis Flowers, CB-Jaylon Jones, S-Julian Blackmon, S-Nick Cross.

• Guys that stood out at Friday’s practice: WR-Alec Pierce, QB-Anthony Richardson, CB-Kenny Moore II, DE-Isaiah Land, WR-AD Mitchell, TE-Will Mallory.

Injury Report : The following players did not appear to be participating at Friday’s practice: DE-Samson Ebukam (calf), WR-Josh Downs (ankle), LB-Jaylon Carlies (hip), WR-Ashton Dulin (hamstring), DT-DeForest Buckner (rest), CB-JuJu Brents (rest), DE-Genard Avery (undicosled). The following players remain on the PUP or non-football injury lists: DT-Raekown Davis (illness, high blood pressure).

2024 Colts Training Camp Schedule

-8/11 (Sunday): 1 ^st preseason game vs. Broncos (1:00)

-8/14 (Wednesday joint practices with Cardinals): 6:00-8:00 PM practice

-8/15 (Thursday joint practices with Cardinals): 6:00-7:20 PM practice

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