Recapping Chris Ballard Training Camp Press Conference

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INDIANAPOLIS – Goodbye, summer. Hello, football.

On Wednesday morning, the Colts reported to Grand Park in Westfield to start yet another training camp.

Report day meant the annual Chris Ballard pre-training camp press conference.

Below are some of the highlights from Ballard:

• What position battles are on the mind of Chris Ballard? How about cornerback (besides Kenny Moore II) and safety (besides Julian Blackmon)? Ballard sees 3-4 outside cornerbacks (likely JuJu Brents, Jaylon Jones and Dallis Flowers) competing for 2 outside spots, when the team goes to its nickel package. At free safety, Nick Cross is probably the camp favorite, but Ballard also mentioned Rodney Thomas II, Ronnie Harrison Jr. and Trevor Denbow in competition. Ballard cautioned it might take some time for the secondary to grow, which could be an issue given how QB frontloaded this schedule is in 2024. Ballard also mentioned depth spots at MIKE (behind Zaire Franklin), swing offensive tackle (Blake Freeland and Matt Goncalves) and the No. 2 running back as other spots he will be watching closely.

• Speaking of the secondary, Ballard has not ruled out the idea of signing a veteran corner/safety. “We like our young players,” Ballard said on report day. “I’m not saying we won’t do something. We definitely could. But I want to see these young guys get after it and compete.”. Given Ballard’s comments, one has to mention that at every stop of this offseason so far the Colts have decided to believe in their in-house guys, staying away from a veteran signing.

• The expectation is Anthony Richardson will have no limitations when the first training camp practice takes place on Thursday morning. “No, I’m not expecting any limitations, right now,” is what Ballard said on Wednesday. With how spread out the 12-practice schedule is, it would be a tad alarming if the Colts planned to restrict Richardson in any way. Ballard added it is “most likely” that Richardson and the Colts starters will get some run in the preseason. In 2023, Richardson played more than 50 preseason snaps, playing in Weeks 1 and 3, but sitting out Week 2.

• Some injury items to note from Wednesday, Ballard mentioned the following guys: CB-JuJu Brents (ankle) : Clean up procedure after OTAs. Should be cleared, but might be limited early in camp; RT-Braden Smith (knee): Could be brought along slowly after missing the spring, following an off-season knee surgery; WR-Ashton Dulin (knee): Also could be brought along slowly after missing the spring, recovering from his torn ACL during last year’s camp; CB-Chris Lammons (ankle ): Likely will miss a week or two. Should be on the PUP list; RB-Tyler Goodson (toe): Showed up to Grand Park with a toe ailment and could miss some time; DE-Genard Avery (knee): Is close to returning after injuring his knee last camp.

• Earlier on Wednesday, veteran center Ryan Kelly expressed that he told the Colts he’d like a contract extension, but the team did not agree with him on that sentiment. Kelly, 31, is the longest tenured Colt and is in a contract year. Chris Ballard shared this on Wednesday when asked about Kelly’s situation: “I don’t talk about contracts,” the GM said. “Every case is different. I think one thing we’ve proven is we are really loyal to players who have been good players. I think that’ll work itself out over time.” The Colts drafted Wisconsin center Tanor Bortolini in Round 4 this year, with the obvious thought he could be Anthony Richardson’s center of the future. The presence of Bortolini, and his rookie development, has to be a major factor in Kelly potentially getting a third contract with the Colts.

• It’s clear Ballard is pretty darn bullish on the 2024 Colts, particularly in the trenches and offensively. If you want to single out a particular player that falls into that category for Ballard, look at No. 28. “Jonathan Taylor will have a big year,” Ballard said of the star running back.” That’s where I’ll stop.”

• One position I’ll add to the battle watch is seeing how the abundance of quality tight ends emerges into playing time. “They are all viable,” Ballard said on Wednesday of the tight end group. “Do we have a, per se, superstar of the group? Probably not. Do we have really good players in the group? Yeah. Mo Alie (Cox) has a role. (Drew) Ogletree has a role. (Kylen) Granson’s got a little bit of a role. (Will) Mallory, we think is going to do some really good things. We got to see with Jelani (Woods). He did some really good things as a rookie, and then was hurt all of last year. He’s got to stay healthy and see what he’s got.” Again, this is going to be a very difficult position to gauge playing time/who make the team.

2024 Colts Training Camp Schedule

-7/25 (Thursday): 10:00-11:00 AM practice

-7/27 (Saturday): 10:00-11:15 AM practice

-7/28 (Sunday): 4:00-5:30 PM practice

-7/30 (Tuesday): 10:00-11:15 AM practice

-7/31 (Wednesday): 10:00-11:30 AM practice

-8/2 (Friday): 9:00-10:45 AM practice

-8/4 (Sunday): 4:00-5:30 PM practice

-8/5 (Monday): 2:00-3:30 PM practice

-8/7 (Wednesday): 9:00-10:30 AM practice

-8/9 (Friday): 10:00-11:00 AM practice

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

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

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

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