After roughly two weeks of strength and conditioning working out without pads and helmets trying to get back into playing shape, the Indianapolis Colts threw on the shells at Friday’s training camp practice session.
The Colts are still not permitted to go full bore in practice with full-padded sessions, but they were able to get in some 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 work as they prepare for the start of the regular season, which is officially less than a month away.
Even with the limited training camp due to COVID-19 protocols, there were some interesting takeaways from the notebook of Colts.com writer Andrew Walker, who was there to document it all.
Here are four takeaways from the practice session on Friday, Aug. 14:
Parris Campbell, Philip Rivers connect on a big play
After an injury-marred rookie season that saw Campbell deal with several broken bones and muscle tears, the former second-round pick is in line to have a big sophomore campaign.
That was flashed a bit on Friday when, according to Walker, Campbell and Rivers connected on what would have been a long touchdown down the middle of the field.
Perhaps the biggest offensive play of the day came about midway through practice. Rivers launched a pass deep down the middle of the field to speedy wide receiver Parris Campbell, who was able to get by the covering safety Willis and haul in what would’ve been a long touchdown reception. Campbell gave so many flashes of being a big-play threat in his injury-plagued rookie season last year, and with full health, watch out going into Year 2.
While T.Y. Hilton and Michael Pittman Jr. are expected to lead the wide receiver room, Campbell has the YAC skillset from the slot that can make him an intriguing target for Rivers in the middle of the field.
This is certainly a rapport to keep an eye on as practices become more physical.