Colts Notebook: Kwity Paye, Kenny Moore II Miss Practice

Source: Kevin Sabitus / Getty

INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts (1-2) will conclude the month of September with their third home game in four weeks.

It’s the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0) coming to Lucas Oil Stadium for a 1:00 PM kickoff.

What did we learn from the Colts at their first practice of Week 4?

• Going off of a similar sample size to last season, Anthony Richardson’s accuracy numbers have dipped , and his turnover numbers have risen. In 2023, Richardson completed 59 percent of his passes, while tossing just 1 interception in 173 snaps. In 2024, playing 157 snaps so far, Richardson has completed 49 percent of his passes, while throwing 6 interceptions. Does Shane Steichen have any thoughts behind those accuracy issues. “I don’t know,” the head coach said on Wednesday. “It’s early. We are 3 games into this thing. We are going to continue to work through that. He’s going to have a hell of a practice week and look forward to him on Sunday.” Steichen added he has confidence Richardson will become more accurate. “Because of the person he is,” the head coach said of his young quarterback. “The way he works. He comes in every day ready to roll. He puts a lot into it. A lot of people don’t see the work. It’s done in the dark in here. At some point, you just keep working, keep working, things come to light for everyone to see.” Steichen reiterated the point of getting Richardson more time on task. “Like I said, I think it’s just so early. He’s got to keep playing. We talk about developing players in this league, he’s got to keep playing and get more reps and reps and reps. And that stuff will come.”

• Those late-game injuries to DE-Kwity Paye (quad) and CB-Kenny Moore II (hip) have led to them missing the first practice of the week. Remember, the Colts brought DE-Derek Rivers onto their practice squad Tuesday, so that’s a potential option, if Paye can’t go. No Paye on Sunday would mean the Colts are down 3 of 4 defensive line starters (DE-Samson Ebukam, DT-DeForest Buckner, DE-Kwity Paye).

• CB-Kenny Moore II (hip) also did not practice on Wednesday, so one of the Colts most indispensable players will deserve some monitoring throughout the week. No Moore II would cause more cornerback scrambling. In-house options include Samuel Womack III or Chris Lammons. Womack III has been splitting time with Dallis Flowers in replacing JuJu Brents as the 3 ^rd cornerback (playing outside cornerback when the Colts go to nickel). Good news though for this week is the Steelers are not a team with a very deep receiving group.

• Braden Smith (sleeve on left leg) was not practicing on Wednesday. The Smith presence is always important, vitally so when T.J. Watt is on the other sideline. If Smith can’t go, it would likely be rookie OT-Matt Goncalves getting his first NFL action. Smith didn’t play in last year’s meeting against the Steelers, with Blake Freeland getting the start. Smith missed last Friday’s final practice of the week due to a knee injury, but still played every snap against the Bears.

• Jonathan Taylor looks like his old self. Taylor is coming off back-to-back 100-yard games for the first time since 2021 (and he has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in 3 of his last 4 games dating back to last season). It was back in 2021 when Taylor sprinted past the rest of the NFL in shattering the rest of the field, capturing the season rushing title. This quiet, healthy 2024 offseason for Taylor has led to him having the best September of his career.

• Speaking of Taylor, the Colts offensive line has been very good to start the 2024 season. “They’ve been phenomenal. They are doing a hell of a job in both protection and in the run game, setting the edges on the outside, getting the pass set, keeping that pocket firm inside. They are playing at a very high level right now, which we are excited about it.”

• Anthony Richardson spoke to the media on Wednesday and the popular phrases were “throwing with intent”, “letting it rip” when asked about his focus for this week.

• Last week, we pondered how the wide receiver snap counts would play out with Josh Downs making his 2024 debut. In the first game of a healthy Colts wideout group, that meant rookie AD Mitchell barely saw the field. Of all the Colts who saw the field on Sunday, Mitchell’s 7 total snaps played (all on offense) was the second fewest of anyone dressed. The wide receiver group broke down with the following snap counts: Michael Pittman Jr-47, Alec Pierce-43, Josh Downs, 32, Ashton Dulin-14, AD Mitchell-7, Anthony Gould-3. Given what Pierce has shown this season (9 catches on 12 targets) vs. Mitchell (2 catches on 10 targets), it’s hard to argue much with that snap discrepancy between the two, especially when you factor in Pierce’s strength as a blocker. If this group stays healthy, should we expect weekly snap totals for around this number for Mitchell?

• It could be a battle of trench depth on Sunday when the Steelers offense faces the Colts defense. Pittsburgh is down three starting offensive linemen. And the Colts will be down two defensive line starters, and possibly a third with Kwity Paye (quad) not practicing on Wednesday.

• The Steelers are undefeated. But they certainly aren’t some explosive, high-powered offense running away from teams. They’ve scored 18, 13, 20 in their 3 wins and are just the 2 ^nd team in the last 88 years of the NFL to be 3-0 with no more than 3 touchdowns scored. Pittsburgh’s defense has been one of the league’s best in 2024, allowing 10, 6 and 10 points in those 3 wins. Justin Fields has offered competent quarterback play and will be the first true dual-threat QB the Colts have seen since Lamar Jackson in Week 3 of last season (minus Malik Willis with his scaled back Green Bay playbook).

• These two teams met in Week 15 of last year, but the starting quarterbacks in that game (Mitch Trubisky  and Gardner Minshew) aren’t even on those respective rosters anymore. The Steelers jumped out to a 13-0 lead in Lucas Oil Stadium last December, behind T.J. Watt wrecking things and a big blocked punt. From there though, the Colts dominated the game, scoring 30 straight points. Minshew was very good, and the Colts had extremely productive running days from Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson. Jonathan Taylor (thumb) didn’t play in the game and a vicious, illegal hit in the first half knocked Michael Pittman Jr. out of the game.

• Colts second-year cornerback Jaylon Jones is your AFC Defensive Player of the Week after his pair of interceptions last week. That playmaking from Jones was critical in the Colts persevering a one-possession victory. Jones has been such an important find as a 7 ^th round pick.

• If the Colts win on Sunday, they’ll end September at 2-2. That’s a mark many would have pegged for them at the start of the season (I had them going 2-2, with a 10-7 seasonal record).

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