Veterans and rookies for the Indianapolis Colts will report for training camp on July 24th, with the first practice taking place on July 25th.
Between now and then I will be previewing the Colts’ 91-man roster with a look back at each player’s 2023 season, along with what’s ahead for 2024.
I’ll be going through the Colts’ roster alphabetically, so up next is wide receiver Ashton Dulin. To stay up to date with our other previews, be sure to head over to Colts Wire.
2023 Season Review
Last August, Colts’ wide receiver Ashton Dulin suffered a right ACL injury that prematurely ended his 2023 season.
Dulin did not participate in OTA or minicamp practices as he continues to rehab. A timetable for his return hasn’t been announced, but Dulin is feeling well and also moving quite well.
“I’m feeling great,” Dulin said during his offseason media availability. “I’m at a point in rehab where we’re ready to get rolling and get back on the field. No timetable yet but leave it up to the doctors. It’s above my pay grade. I’m feeling good, body is feeling great. I can’t complain at all.”
#Colts WR Ashton Dulin, who tore his right ACL in training camp last year and did not practice at all during spring ball *this* year, looks like he’s making great strides in his recovery.
His latest workout video is very promising as training camp approaches.
🎥 Dulin’s IG pic.twitter.com/wqKkCAXZFl
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 7, 2024
2024 Season Preview
With Adonai Mitchell and Anthony Gould joining a receiver room that already had Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce, this is a position group that quickly got crowded over the offseason for the Colts.
However, if the Colts are willing to keep six receivers–which they did not do last year on their initial 53-man roster–Dulin certainly has a path to making the team, and in my early 53-man roster prediction, he was someone I had on the team.
From 2019-2022, Dulin has been a core special teams contributor for the Colts, playing 877 snaps during that span. This also includes handling kick return duties at times, a role that very well could belong to Gould this season, but Dulin can add some stability with his experience if the Colts are in a pinch.
Between the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Dulin had just 42 targets in the passing game, but GM Chris Ballard values the reliability he brings to the back end of the roster as someone the Colts can call on if they’re in a pinch.
“Dulin was a huge loss,” Ballard said. “Just because he gives you so much, not only on special teams, but his ability to play inside and outside. If you have to start him for a stretch, he can do it.”
Perhaps what could be working against Dulin is the numbers game that comes with roster building. Last year, in Shane Steichen’s first season, nearly 96 percent of the Colts’ offensive snaps came with three or fewer receivers on the field, according to Sumer Sports.
So depending on how things play out this summer, maybe the Colts would prefer to use that sixth roster spot at receiver elsewhere.