Category: Colts Training Camp

Frank Reich on Colts’ low vaccination rate: ‘It’s a real issue’

Colts HC Frank Reich gives his thoughts on the team’s low vaccination rate.

As we enter the halfway point through training camp, the Indianapolis Colts remain one of the least vaccinated teams in the league, and their roster has already taken a slight hit because of it.

The Colts opened camp by putting three heavily-used defensive players on the reserve/COVID-19 list in cornerbacks Xavier Rhodes and T.J. Carrie along with defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad. The team added a fourth player to the list in offensive tackle Julién Davenport on the third day of camp while Carrie was activated on Monday to begin the second week.

Strictly speaking from a competitive advantage perspective, the Colts are on the back end. Head coach Frank Reich believes it’s an issue that the team is among the lowest vaccination rates in the league.

“It is a real issue and that’s why we’re working at it. I think our guys are taking it serious.  I think we’re continuing to make progress as a club, we’re continuing to tell the players what we believe,” Reich told reporters Monday. “We believe it’s best to get vaccinated. We believe that that’s the best thing. We understand it’s a personal decision and so we’ll respect that.”

The last update surrounding the vaccination rate for the Colts is that they were over 60% with at least one shot. That was before the start of training camp so the number may be higher, but it’s still far too low compared to the rest of the league.

The latest update from the league stated that 19 teams are over a 90% vaccination rate with seven of them being over 95% vaccinated. That could wind up being a massive advantage for teams during the season.

Make no mistake, the Colts certainly seem to be one of the more divided teams on this issue. But Reich is nowhere near concerned it will become an issue between players in the locker room.

“We’re going to tell them with all the passion we have what we believe is the right thing to do, but we’re going to trust every person to make their own individual decision, we’re going to hug and tell each other we love each other, and nothing is coming between us as a team,” said Reich. “We’re on a mission and we’re not going to let that kind of stuff come between us. We’re going to express our opinion, you make your own decision and we’ll keep moving forward.”

Reich himself tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated. That might sway others into the narrative that it then doesn’t matter about vaccination status. However, breakthrough cases are seemingly rare with the vaccine while NFL protocols are testing vaccinated players once every two weeks as opposed to daily testing for unvaccinated players.

The chances of vaccinated players missing time due to a positive COVID-19 test are lower than those who are unvaccinated.

As much as we would love to simply talk about football, this will be a storyline for the Colts because of the consequences that come with being unvaccinated in the NFL.

Players will continue to make personal decisions, as they should, but if the Colts remain one of the least vaccinated teams in the NFL, there is a chance this becomes an issue throughout the season.

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6 takeaways from Colts training camp practice No. 5

Notes and observations from Colts training camp practice No. 5 on Monday.

After a day off, the Indianapolis Colts returned to the practice field for their fifth training camp practice on Monday at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield.

Donning the full pads for the first time at training camp, the Colts turned up the intensity. It was a big day for the defense, especially for a number of edge rushers while the offense continued to focus on prioritizing the run game with Jacob Eason under center.

Here are six takeaways from Colts training camp practice No. 5 on Monday:

6 takeaways from Colts training camp practice No. 5

Notes and observations from Colts training camp practice No. 5 on Monday.

After a day off, the Indianapolis Colts returned to the practice field for their fifth training camp practice on Monday at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield.

Donning the full pads for the first time at training camp, the Colts turned up the intensity. It was a big day for the defense, especially for a number of edge rushers while the offense continued to focus on prioritizing the run game with Jacob Eason under center.

Here are six takeaways from Colts training camp practice No. 5 on Monday:

12 things we learned from first week of Colts training camp

Here are 12 things we learned from the first week of Colts training camp.

The Indianapolis Colts completed their first week of training camp at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield with four padless practices.

It is still very early in camp so we shouldn’t be jumping to conclusions when it comes to position battles or production, but there are storylines taking place surrounding the team. Some are bigger than others, and we got plenty of information from the first week.

Here are 12 things we learned from the first week of Colts training camp:

6 takeaways from Colts training camp practice No. 4

Takeaways from Colts training camp practice No. 4 on Saturday.

The Indianapolis Colts concluded their first week of training camp with a practice on Saturday at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield.

With Carson Wentz still out with a foot injury and the Colts awaiting more information, the team rolled with Jacob Eason as the starter with the first-team offense.

Here are six takeaways from training camp practice No. 4 for the Colts:

Colts’ Jacob Eason trying to make most of first-team reps

Amid Carson Wentz’s foot injury, Colts QB Jacob Eason is trying to make the most of his reps with the first team.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacob Eason has been running with the first-team offense ever since starter Cason Wentz went down with a foot injury on Thursday.

As Wentz is out indefinitely until the team gets more information for their decision moving forward, Eason will be making the most out of the first-team reps he’s getting with the offense.

“It’s definitely different, but at the same time it’s good for me as a player to get in there, get those reps, get that exposure, getting in and out of the huddle, seeing what’s going on in the defense,” Eason told reporters Saturday. “It’s definitely very different than it was last year and it happened quick but I’m very glad and fortunate to be getting these reps right now.”

The Colts are sending Wentz to foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson in hopes of getting a recommendation on what they should do next in terms of surgery or rehab. In the meantime, Eason will be QB1.

It hasn’t all been roses, though, especially on the field. Eason has struggled with consistency to open camp, and it’s been reflected in practice. During team drill on Saturday, Eason finished 10-for-22 with a red-zone touchdown pass to Michael Pittman Jr. and two interceptions, per George Bremer of The Herald Bulletin.

After sitting behind Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett for his entire rookie season, essentially using it as a redshirt, Eason is finally getting to watch himself on tape to improve various aspects of his game.

“It’s huge. It’s watching yourself, seeing your decisions, your progressions, your progress. It’s a lot different watching someone else do it. You can’t really always see what they’re thinking, but you can talk about it,” Eason said. “When you do it, you know what you were thinking, you know what you were seeing, you can make those self-corrections.”

Getting those reps are key for Eason’s development. Making mistakes is part of the process, especially for a young quarterback with little experience, and the Colts are hoping Eason is able to use that to make progress in his development.

“Well yeah, the biggest thing is we just want to continue getting him reps. There are plays that he hadn’t seen and this is his first time getting the live rep. He’s going to learn from it, he’s going to make the mistakes,” said offensive coordinator Marcus Brady on Friday. “He made some good plays, he made some bad plays and we just have to continue to grow and make sure that he’s improving and learning from those mistakes.”

The Colts aren’t sure yet when Wentz will return, but Eason will be the one leading the offense. The second-year quarterback is taking it day-by-day without getting overwhelmed with the big picture as he tries to help the Colts stay afloat.

“I’m just taking it a day at a time – one day at a time, one practice at a time, one rep at a time. Just trying to get better and keep competing. That’s all we’re doing.”

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Brett Hundley on joining Colts: ‘It’s been a whirlwind’

New Colts QB Brett Hundley talks about joining the team amid Carson Wentz’s injury.

Amid the uncertainty surrounding quarterback Carson Wentz’s foot injury, the Indianapolis Colts signed veteran Brett Hundley to join the quarterback room while the team decides its course of action.

Hundley’s signing was announced just before Saturday’s training camp practice, which led to him being thrown right into individual drills alongside Jacob Eason, Sam Ehlinger and Jalen Morton.

Suffice it to say it’s been a wild few days for Hundley.

”Flying in, throwing the football and working out and then coming to practice. It’s been a whirlwind,” Hundley told reporters Saturday.

Despite the injury to Wentz coming on Thursday, Hundley said he’s been in contact with the Colts for a few days.

It isn’t clear what the outlook of the quarterback room will look like over the next month. The Colts are still waiting on more information regarding Wentz’s diagnosis, which includes a visit to foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson.

It seems that Eason will be the one to work with the first-team offense to be the starter should Wentz miss any time during the regular season, a possibility if the opt to have surgery.

Having been in the league for a few years now, Hundley understands the process of learning a new offense in a short amount of time.

“It’s something that you just have to learn. You can’t learn this whole offense in a day. It’s just way too much,” said Hundley. “So really just focusing in on understanding what I need to know now, versus what I can learn later on and emphasizing that is pretty much what I’ll stick to.”

As Wentz is likely out for training camp and the preseason, Hundley is likely to work with the backups Ehlinger and Morton behind Eason, but the preseason games could very well determine who the starter is Week 1 if Wentz does miss time during the regular season.

7 takeaways from Colts training camp practice No. 2

Notes and observations from Colts training camp practice No. 2 on Thursday.

The Indianapolis Colts were back on the field for training camp practice No. 2 at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield on Thursday.

It was a strong day for the offense as both quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Jacob Eason bounced back in a big way during team drills. The Colts continued to work without pads and won’t hold their first padded session until Aug. 2.

Here are seven takeaways from Thursday’s training camp practice for the Colts:

UPDATE: Colts’ Ryan Kelly suffers elbow injury

Colts C Ryan Kelly suffered an elbow injury on Thursday.

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UPDATE: Colts center Ryan Kelly suffered an injury to his left elbow. A timeline for return hasn’t been given. You can read the original post below.

Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly suffered an apparent elbow/arm injury during the final play of the first session of team drills at training camp practice on Thursday.

Kelly took an apparent shot to his elbow and walked off the field in pain to the sideline where the trainers would eventually give him ice and wrap.

Following individual and special teams drills, the Colts got back together for 11-on-11 work. However, Kelly didn’t return to the practice field as his arm was still wrapped.

In his place, 2020 fifth-round pick Danny Pinter filled in for Kelly at center with the first-team offense.

It isn’t clear how severe the injury is, and we will likely get an update following Thursday’s practice.

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Carson Wentz opts against revealing vaccination status

Colts QB Carson Wentz opted against revealing his vaccination status: ‘That’s a personal decision.’

As the Indianapolis Colts have arrived at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield for training camp, essentially every player has been asked their status when it comes to vaccinations for COVID-19. New quarterback Carson Wentz opted against revealing his status.

Some players like All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, running back Jonathan Taylor and cornerback Kenny Moore revealed they received the vaccine. Others like wide receiver T.Y. Hilton and safety Khari Willis either opted against revealing or simply said they are on the fence about it.

After speaking to the media Wednesday, Wentz can be put in the latter category. When asked if he’s vaccinated, the 28-year-old opted against revealing that information.

“That’s a personal decision,” Wentz said Wednesday.

It’s Wentz’s right to decline providing that information just as it is the media’s right to ask it.

The Colts locker room has been preaching unity across the board when it comes to the vaccination and the status of several players. They have all been preaching respect in terms of an individual’s decision even if they might disagree.

Wentz said the team will honor the protocols the league has put in place regardless of vaccination status and the fact that the team hasn’t let it become a distraction is why he’s enjoying the new locker room so much.

“I mean, the COVID situation is real, and you mentioned it. The decision as far as vaccines is everybody’s personal decision. I like around here we respect everybody’s decision one way or the other, and we are going to rally together, follow the protocols and do everything we can to do nothing to derail this season,” said Wentz.

The Colts, statistically, seem to be at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to the vaccine. General manager Chris Ballard said the team is over 60% vaccinated when including players with at least one shot. That’s among the lowest rates in the league.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, there are 14 teams in the NFL at or above a 90% vaccination rate. Regardless of a player’s thoughts on a vaccine, this will be a competitive disadvantage if the Colts remain among the league’s lowest rates.

Even though this will be a major topic of discussion for the media—as it should be—Wentz is confident the team won’t let it become a distraction during the season.

“I mean it can if you let it. I think they had a good system here last year and I’ve already seen a good system in place already to not let that be a distraction,” said Wentz. “We’re going to follow the protocols and do what the league tells us we can and can’t do. I think everybody wishes we had it the old way again, but we are going to honor the protocols the best way we can and not let it be a distraction.”