Colts Camp Notebook Day 7: Offense Struggles In Full Pads

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INDIANAPOLIS – The second half of the 2024 Colts training camp began on Sunday in a steamy 90-minute afternoon practice.

For the 2 ^nd straight practice, the Colts donned full pads.

Here are some takeaways from Day 7 of Colts training camp:

• I’d call Sunday one of the poorest of camp for Anthony Richardson/and the Colts starting offense. Now, some of that is a credit to Richardson, who has set a nice, consistent bar with his performance through 6 practices. Richardson was 7-of-12 on Sunday and had several other passing plays end in a sack or scramble. Some of Richardson’s inaccuracy on Sunday came from just misfiring with an open pass catcher. It wasn’t a turnover filled day for the starting offense, but the group struggled to consistently move it. You did have a couple of highlights, one coming early with Alec Pierce making a nice sideline snag. Later on Sunday, Richardson had AD Mitchell on a double move that could have easily been a touchdown. However, an underthrown ball by Richardson kept the completion in the 30-ish yard range. Again, it’s a compliment to Richardson’s camp so far that a day like today would be labeled in the ‘poor’ category. But it was when putting it into the 7-practice context. The defense has strung together multiple days of getting the better of the offense. And a root of that comes from the pass rush. Richardson completed his 7 balls on Sunday to the following guys: Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, AD Mitchell, Alec Pierce, Jonathan Taylor, Drew Ogletree and Trey Sermon. Through 7 days of camp, Richardson is 45-of-67 in team drills, completing his passes to Michael Pittman Jr. (11), Josh Downs (10), Kylen Granson (5), Alec Pierce (5), AD Mitchell (4), Mo Alie-Cox (2), Jonathan Taylor (3), Will Mallory (1), Drew Ogletree (2), Jelani Woods (1), Trey Sermon (1).

• Rookie AD Mitchell showed some more flash on Sunday, executing that double-move against Jaylon Jones, and then following that up with a nice comeback route during a 2 ^nd -team rep with Joe Flacco. For Mitchell right now though, it’s about consistency. Again, expect both Mitchell and Alec Pierce to play in 2024, with neither separating from the other so far. It was Pierce mainly with the starters on Sunday.

• We are in the second half of training camp and the Colts have yet to make a veteran move at safety. Clock is ticking on making such a signing and that player having ample camp time in to get ready for Week 1. The Colts have just 3 practices left until their preseason opener and then will conclude camp next week with just 2 days of work (the Cardinals joint practices). Rodney Thomas II got another look with the first-team on Sunday, but Nick Cross remains the starter next to Julian Blackmon.

• Shane Steichen said he will make a decision on Week 1 preseason playing time for his starters by mid-week. The Colts have 3 practices between now and Sunday’s preseason opener against Denver. In last year’s preseason opener, Anthony Richardson played 3 series (before being named the starter the following week).

• Nice day from running back Trey Sermon. I view him as the clear backup to Jonathan Taylor. Shane Steichen mentioned after practice he’s been impressed by Sermon’s pass blocking.

• The highlight of Sunday came from safety Trevor Denbow making a diving interception against Sam Ehlinger. It was an impressive play by Denbow as he tries to earn a roster spot.

• At defensive end, the Colts seem to be rotating 3 guys for those 2 spots: Kwity Paye, Tyquan Lewis and Laiatu Latu. It’s a pretty consistent rotating of that trio. And this is happening with Dayo Odeyingbo (calf) having missed the past week. One would think Odeyingbo will factor into some run-down role at defensive end whenever he gets back to full health.

• Peace maker Zaire Franklin? It was Franklin pulling back a fired-up Will Fries during a brief post-play dust up in full pads.

• It wasn’t a perfect day for rookie Anthony Gould (he fumbled a kick return rep), but he continues to be a recipient of chunk plays from Joe Flacco. It’s going to be interesting to see if/when Shane Steichen tries to use Gould offensively this fall.

• The rookie offensive linemen are drilling at multiple spots with Matt Goncalves adding some right guard reps to the tackle spots he’s lined up at. And 4 ^th round pick Trevor Bortolini is playing some guard, to go along with his reserve center duties.

• Here is how the starting offense looked on Sunday: QB-Anthony Richardson, RB-Jonathan Taylor, WR-Alec Pierce, WR-Michael Pittman Jr. WR-Josh Downs, 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 Sunday: DE-Tyquan Lewis, DT-Grover Stewart, DT-DeForest Buckner, DE-Laiatu Latu, LB-Zaire Franklin, LB-E.J. Speed, CB-Kenny Moore II, CB-JuJu Brents, CB-Jaylon Jones, S-Julian Blackmon, S-Nick Cross.

• Guys that stood out at Sunday’s practice: S-Trevor Denbow, RB-Trey Sermon, LB-E.J. Speed, DT-Grover Stewart

Injury Report : The following players did not appear to be participating at Sunday’s practice: DL-Dayo Odeyingbo (calf), DE-Samson Ebukam (calf). 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

-8/5 (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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