Colts Camp Notebook Day 5: Defense Stymies Offense

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INDIANAPOLIS – After consecutive morning practices in some humid weather, the Colts are heading for an off day on Thursday.

Wednesday brought another non full padded practice for the Colts as they are approaching the mid-way point of their stay at Grand Park.

Here are some takeaways from Day 5 of Colts training camp:

• Entering Wednesday, Anthony Richardson had really only had one “major” throwing day so far (3 of the 4 practices had Richardson throwing 6 passes or fewer in team drills). Wednesday would qualify as an active Richardson day throwing it, going 7-of-12 in his 4 team periods. Richardson completed his passes to the following Colts: Michael Pittman Jr. (3), Josh Downs (2), Kylen Granson (1), Alec Pierce (1). It was mostly a more underneath passing day from Richardson. Overall, I would say the Colts defense stymied the Colts offense on Wednesday, dominating an early goal-line period to start camp. Through 5 days of camp, Richardson is 30-of-43 in team drills, completing his passes to Josh Downs (8), Michael Pittman Jr. (7), Alec Pierce (4), Kylen Granson (3), Mo Alie-Cox (2), AD Mitchell (2), Will Mallory (1), Jonathan Taylor (1), Drew Ogletree (1), Jelani Woods (1).

• Alec Pierce had easily his best day of camp, highlighted by a deep ball touchdown catch from Joe Flacco. Pierce got behind Darell Baker Jr. and Ronnie Harrison Jr. and made a great adjustment to locate the well-placed toss by the veteran QB. Of course, the play occurred right in front of GM Chris Ballard. For a 5-day camp where you haven’t seen much from Pierce or AD Mitchell in 11-on-11, up to this point, the day for the Cincinnati wideout stood out. Unfortunately, Pierce did get banged up late in practice. Pierce tried to make a leaping grab on an Anthony Richardson overthrow, and fell hard to the ground. Pierce got up and tossed his helmet in some clear pain. He did not return, but did stay at practice, interacting with his fellow wideouts.

• Early in Wednesday’s practice, we had a pretty spirited 7-on-7 session with Anthony Richardson. It included a frozen rope from Richardson on a beautiful sideline toss into a window to Michael Pittman Jr, but MPJ couldn’t haul it in. Later, Julian Blackmon made another exceptional play down the field, leaping in the air to knock away what would have been a big gain to Alec Pierce, as JuJu Brents was trailing in coverage. And then Ronnie Harrison Jr. (see more below) had what should have been a pick of Richardson.

• AD Mitchell continues to have a quiet start to camp, especially compared to what we saw in the spring. Mitchell had a chance for a deep connection with Joe Flacco on Wednesday but couldn’t haul in a deep ball in traffic. The 11-on-11 production has been especially limited for Mitchell.

• That free safety competition seems to be turning into something more. Nick Cross remains the starter, but the likes of Rodney Thomas II and Ronnie Harrison Jr. continue to get some looks with the first team. If it’s not Cross, are the Colts going to look into the free agent market? Remember, the QBs waiting for the Colts out of the gate this season are C.J. Stroud and Jordan Love.

• We got another fight/scuffle on Wednesday between arguably the two biggest leaders on each side of the ball. It was an engaged Quenton Nelson and Zaire Franklin getting into it enough where both went to the ground before the skirmish was broken up and the two high-fived each other. It looked like Nelson got ahold of Franklin’s helmet which ignited the post-snap interaction.

• Punt returners on Wednesday: Anthony Gould, Josh Downs, Dallis Flowers.

• Here is how the starting offense looked on Wednesday: QB-Anthony Richardson, RB-Jonathan Taylor, WR-Alec Pierce, WR-Ashton Dulin TE-Mo Alie-Cox, TE-Kylen Granson, LT-Bernhard Raimann, LG-Quenton Nelson, C-Ryan Kelly, RG-Will Fries, RT-Braden Smith.

• Here is how the starting defense looked on Wednesday: DE-Tyquan Lewis, DT-Grover Stewart, DT-DeForest Buckner, DE-Latiatu Latu, DE-Kwity Paye, LB-Zaire Franklin, LB-E.J. Speed, CB-Kenny Moore II, CB-JuJu Brents, S-Julian Blackmon, S-Nick Cross.

• Guys that stood out at Wednesday’s practice: WR-Alec Pierce, TE-Kylen Granson, LB-Evan Hull, FS-Ronnie Harrison Jr.

Injury Report : The following players did not appear to be participating at Wednesday practice: DL-Dayo Odeyingbo (calf), DE-Samon Ebukam (calf), DE-Titus Leo (knee), DB-Ameer Speed (undisclosed), TE-Will Mallory (hamstring), LB-Jaylon Carlies (hip). The following players remain on the PUP or non-football injury list: CB-Chris Lammons (ankle), DT-Raekown Davis (illness, high blood pressure, should return soon).

2024 Colts Training Camp Schedule

-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

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

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