Biggest takeaways from the last Colts training camp practice ahead of their preseason opener against the Broncos

The Indianapolis Colts held a shorter-than-usual practice session on Friday, August 9, ahead of their preseason opener on Sunday.

But it was still an eventful practice, and I had multiple clear takeaways as we approach their matchup with the Denver Broncos.

Colts QB Anthony Richardson was dialed in

Colts starting quarterback Anthony Richardson saved his best practice for last this week. He carved up the Colts' defense throughout practice and had a stellar day during 11 on 11. Richardson completed 14 of his 17 pass attempts, throwing three touchdowns to Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, and Trey Sermon and adding another on the ground. He threaded the needle between defenders on multiple throws and showed his ability to utilize his next-level arm strength to fit into tight windows.

He did have an interception during a 7-on-7 series, where TE Drew Ogletree allowed CB Kenny Moore to outjump him for a ball. But overall, this was the most dialed-in we have seen Richardson all training camp long. And with the official announcement after practice that he will play during the Colts preseason game Sunday, he picked the perfect time for it.

Alec Pierce shined with the Colts' starters

One of the biggest positional battles actively going on during Colts' training camp is Alec Pierce vs. Adonai Mitchell for the team's last starting WR job. Today, though, both spent the majority of the day with the starters, and Pierce had arguably his best practice of the year. Pierce started the day with a contested catch against second-year CB Jaylon Jones. He stacked up multiple catches, including a touchdown in red zone work with multiple defenders around him. The Colts are going to get creative while Josh Downs nurses his high ankle sprain, and Pierce showed today that he has the talent to be a part of the team's plan at WR.

The Colts may have no choice but to make a move or moves in the secondary

In each practice, it seems like the weakest starting spots on the Colts roster have become clearer. The first is the free safety position, where no player has yet shown themselves to be a starting caliber player in the NFL. The next being the second starting outside CB job. Today, the CB issues were on full display, with Jaylon Jones yet again being targeted often, and nearly every time, good results would follow for the Colts offense. And at FS, we saw it time and time again last season when the team's lack of a real playmaker at the spot burned them. The most notable was during their Week 18 loss to the Houston Texans, where Nico Collins burned the Colt's defense for a touchdown on the Texan's first offensive play of the game. The Colts have chosen not to address the position so far, and it has looked like a major mistake; if only there was a proven veteran with plenty of experience making big plays available on the free agency market for the team to target.

Is it time to worry about TE Jelani Woods?

Last year was unfortunate, to say the least, for Colts second-year TE Jelani Woods. As a lingering hamstring injury stole his entire sophomore season. But it also meant the Colts' new offensive staff last year didn't get to see much from Woods at all to help them form an idea of how to utilize the skilled TE. Which made this training camp beyond crucial for Woods . So far, he has yet to put together a day where he stood out. Today, he had a drop during 11 on 11, and he continues to see time with the second-team offense, with guys like Moe Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree, and Will Mallory all seeming to have larger roles throughout camp. I think Woods needs to turn it up down the stretch here as the preseason is about to begin, and I don't think his roster spot is anywhere near safe at this time.

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