Category: Colts Training Camp

Colts have made 18 roster moves since start of training camp

Here’s a quick review of the 18 roster moves the Colts have made since the start of training camp.

The Indianapolis Colts have been a busy team since they arrived back from summer break to begin training camp at the end of July.

As of this writing, so essentially through the first two weeks of camp, the Colts have made a total of 18 roster moves. There will constantly be tweaks across the roster so this isn’t at all an end to the moves being made.

But considering the number of moves the team has made, it’s wise to take a quick review of the changes that have come to the roster over the last two weeks.

6 takeaways from Day 7 of Colts’ training camp

Here are six takeaways from Day 7 of Colts’ training camp.

The Indianapolis Colts are just about set to wrap up their second week of training camp as they concluded their seventh practice at the Grand Park Sports Complex on Saturday.

Inclement weather forced the Colts to go inside for practice, but that didn’t keep the energy down. It was another session featuring full pads following Friday’s day off, and things got a bit chippy.

We also conducted a quick rundown of what all transpired during Saturday’s training camp practice.

Here are six takeaways from Day 7 of Colts’ training camp:

Colts’ Shaquille Leonard taking fear out of making contact

Shaquille Leonard participated in contact drills for the first time Saturday.

It has been a long road for Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard, who continues to work his way back from an injury that has kept him off the field for the better part of the last calendar year.

Despite missing all of the spring workouts, Leonard has been taking a surprising amount of work with the starting defense during training camp. Through the first week and a half of camp, Leonard hasn’t participated in the team portion of the fully-padded practices.

That changed Saturday evening, marking the first time The Maniac was involved in full contact, which is the next step on his road to recovery.

“It feels amazing, especially being away from contact for a long time. Easing it back in and then now I’m just going out and taking the fear out of making contact,” Leonard told the media Saturday. “It felt amazing to get back out there and make some contact.”

Some may scoff or raise concern about Leonard’s remark about overcoming the fear of making contact. As a linebacker, there can’t be any fear of driving straight into a collision.

But any athlete will agree, there’s a certain point of the recovery where the focus shifts more toward the mental side rather than the physical. Leonard has been away from contact for so long that it’s only natural to wonder what that feeling will be like again.

This is only compounded by the fact that Leonard was dealing with complications from a nerve in his back. Those injuries are typically unpredictable, especially when it comes to the game of football.

But Leonard is making progress on that front, and Saturday’s practice was seemingly the final step.

“Just take it slow. Today was the first time I got full contact with the team reps. That was the last step so hopefully now I just continue to build off that,” Leonard said.

The Colts defense is better when Leonard is on the field. Not only does his talent boost everyone around him, but the entire roster also feeds off the energy he brings on a daily basis.

How Leonard feels after his first day of contact will be telling in terms of his recovery, but this is another encouraging step on the road to seeing The Maniac on the field again.

Colts’ 2023 training camp roundup: Day 7

Here are the news, notes and highlights from Day 7 of Colts training camp.

The Indianapolis Colts were back on the field Saturday evening for a fully-padded training camp practice at the Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield.

We saw the return of cornerback Julius Brents while a handful of other players missed practice. The preseason is now less than a week away, and the team is ramping up the physicality at practice with the opener set for Saturday, Aug. 12.

Here are the news, notes and highlights from Day 7 of Colts training camp:

7 takeaways from Day 6 of Colts training camp

Here are seven takeaways from Day 6 of Colts training camp.

The Indianapolis Colts held their second padded practice of training camp Thursday at the Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield.

With the preseason right around the corner, the Colts are ramping up the physicality in preparation for the opener against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, Aug. 12.

We also put together a quick roundup of what went down during Thursday’s practice.

Here are seven takeaways from Day 6 of Colts training camp:

Colts rookie CB Darius Rush made training camp debut

An intriguing Colts rookie made his debut at training camp Thursday.

Indianapolis Colts’ fifth-round pick, Darius Rush returned to the practice field Thursday for his first practice of training camp.

Rush, who participated in some spring work during OTAs, sat out all of the first five practices due to a shoulder injury.

In the spring, Rush was one of the rookies that stood out in rookie minicamp.

With the time that he’s missed, it is critical for a Rush to stay on the field and begin to get some reps on defense. Because he is five practices behind, Rush will have to play catch-up.

Now that he practicing at full capacity, Rush will have an opportunity to battle for starting reps at cornerback. He will have some stiff competition in Dallis Flowers, Darrell Baker Jr. for the starting roles, along with Julius Brents once he returns to practice from a nagging hamstring injury.

The Colts cornerback room is one massive competition through the first two weeks of training camp, and the preseason games will have plenty of say in how the depth chart is arranged.

With Rush now back on the field, the rookie can begin making his case for a big role.

Colts’ 2023 training camp roundup: Day 6

Here are the news, notes and highlights from Day 6 of Colts training camp.

The Indianapolis Colts returned to practice Thursday after a day off, donning the pads for a second consecutive practice at the Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield.

With just over a week until the preseason opener, the Colts are gearing up the physicality with the full pads. The focus during Thursday’s practice appeared to be in the red zone and the two-minute drill.

Here are the news, notes and highlights from Day 6 of Colts training camp:

Colts’ DeForest Buckner dealing with foot injury

DeForest Buckner left Thursday’s practice with a foot injury.

Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner suffered a foot injury Thursday during training camp practice, per head coach Shane Steichen.

Buckner suffered the injury early on during Thursday’s padded practice and didn’t return to participating. He was back on the field to watch, however, but didn’t practice after being attended to.

It’s unclear how severe the injury is, and we may not get an actual update for a while. Buckner is a massive piece of the defense and the engine of the pass rush so his absence will be a major storyline.

The Colts are likely to be cautious with their defensive leader and even though the preseason opener is still over a week away, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the team played it extremely conservatively.

Hopefully, it’s nothing. But this will be something to monitor over the course of training camp.

Colts’ Anthony Richardson getting consistent work with starting offense

Anthony Richardson has taken all starting reps in two consecutive practices.

Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson has impressed enough during the early portion of training camp to the point where he has been getting consistent work with the starting offense.

Though he and veteran Gardner Minshew split reps throughout the spring and the first week of camp, Richardson has now received all of the starting reps in each of the last two practices, both of which have been fully padded.

Head coach Shane Steichen has made it clear the team will take their time when it comes to Richardson’s development and the fact that he’s taken the starting reps for two consecutive practices doesn’t necessarily mean he will be the Week 1 starter. The preseason will have a large say in that.

And the team may go back to flip-flopping Richardson and Minshew with the first team regardless.

However, it is an encouraging sign that the Colts are confident enough to give him consecutive days as the starter, which means they’ve seen steady improvement in several areas. Most notably, when it comes to handling the huddle and spitting out play calls.

We’ll see if Richardson continues to get starting reps or if Steichen will simply come out and give an update on his progress, but this is an encouraging sign with the preseason right around the corner.

Colts’ Anthony Richardson taking development day by day

‘You can have ups and downs, but it’s just a matter of keeping your head cool, calm and collected and just making plays.’ – Colts QB Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson is quickly adjusting to life in the NFL, but he also understands his development must take its course naturally.

There may not be a more enthusiastic or eager player on the roster than Richardson. The 21-year-old is constantly beaming with excitement every time he’s on the field.

Even so, the reps in early training camp practices have taught him not to force anything beyond his control.

“When it comes to guys being open, it’s a tough league. The windows are definitely a lot smaller, but it’s just a matter of knowing when to throw it and when not to – not forcing it because if it’s first and second down in the red zone or goal line, then you have a chance for the next play instead of trying to force it and be Superman and make something work when there is really nothing there,” Richardson told reporters Tuesday.

After missing a practice due to undergoing nasal septum surgery, Richardson returned for Tuesday’s padded practice, the first of Colts training camp. He wound up taking every starting rep with the first-team offense for the first time since being drafted.

Though he had a shaky day, Richardson feels comfortable with the rate of his development.

“I feel like I’m working but there is also room for improvement. So, just taking it day by day,” said Richardson.

Keeping a cool head is the key to managing the ebbs and flows of the NFL life, especially for a rookie coming into the league with just 13 collegiate starts under his belt.

“It’s definitely different – different from every level. You’re playing against the best of the best. Regardless of what group you’re going with, everybody is out there working. It’s just a matter of getting the momentum down pat and staying locked in mentally,” Richardson said. “You can have ups and downs, but it’s just a matter of keeping your head cool, calm and collected and just making plays.”

The Colts will continue to develop Richardson at his natural pace, but the excitement is growing to see this electric player on the field when the preseason gets started next week.