INDIANAPOLIS – Following a day of registering to vote and formulating a plan in their move to further the fight against social injustice, the Colts returned to the practice field on Friday.
After that 90-mintue morning practice, the plan decided by the Colts was laid out by Jacoby Brissett and Zaire Franklin.
First, Brissett shared the emotional side of how Colts players are feeling right now. Second, Franklin followed up with a multi-layered plan on how that will look.
Frank Reich and Chris Ballard then spoke.
“We will not remain silent on these issues at hand,” Ballard said, stressing the need for action from the Colts.
As far as practiced went, Friday was the 7th day in full pads for the Colts with a spirited session now coming Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
What were some of my takeaways from Friday’s practice, the 7th in full pads?
-All things considered, sounds like good news on the Parris Campbell car accident front. Campbell (concussion protocol) did not practice on Friday, but did watch the session from the field. Normally, if a player suffers a particularly severe concussion, they would not be attending practice just a couple of days following the injury. Frank Reich said Campbell ‘is going to be fine,’ which is great news, especially for a key player, who really needs practice time this offseason.
-Friday’s practice was focused on situations (low red zone, 4-minute, backed up, etc.). When the starting offense entered the red zone on Friday, it was the defense getting the win. Philip Rivers, who has found pretty routine success in that part of the field this camp, went just 1-of-5 (with two drops, one by Michael Pittman and one by Mo Alie-Cox). On Pittman, we’ve probably seen 4-5 drops from him over the last two weeks. Honestly, I would give the overall ‘win’ to the defense on Friday. I think that contributed to some late practice chirping between Xavier Rhodes and Rivers.
-Rivers started 9-of-9 on Friday, but finished 12-of-18. It continues to amaze me that we’ve seen much more deep field passing with Jacoby Brissett, than Rivers.
-Like we saw on Wednesday, tons of mixing and matching within the starting units for the Colts. You had the likes of Le’Raven Clark, Jake Eldrenkamp, Danny Pinter and I think even Joey Hunt all get some work with the starting offensive line in 11-on-11 settings.
-Me venting: We haven’t seen a single 1-on-1 rep between Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner this camp. This much ballyhooed matchup has not played out with Buckner staying out of that part of camp as he plays through a hand injury.
-When the Colts take their first defensive snap of the season on September 13th, in Jacksonville, I think it’ll be Anthony Walker at the MIKE linebacker position, with Darius Leonard next to him at the WILL. Bobby Okereke is still going to play a good amount, but I don’t think he’s a ‘1st down guy’ for the season opener.
-One. That’s how many throws Jacob Eason made in 11-on-11 work during Friday’s 90-minute practice. (The one throw was a catchable 40-yard deep ball to Ashton Dulin, who did not come down with it). I’ll admit, it’s a little head scratching to see the lack of team work Eason has received during a camp with no preseason. Chad Kelly has taken many more of the third-team reps. Is this something to keep in mind at next Saturday’s roster cut down?
-Some 8 days out from roster cuts and I have no confidence in any undrafted free agent making the roster (which would end the 21-year streak). Tight end Farrad Green has received tons of reps this camp, because his position group has been really banged up. But do the Colts have room for four tight ends? It doesn’t look like Rodrigo Blankenship is the favorite to win the kicking job. Canadian tackle Carter O’Donnel seems to be behind Le’Raven Clark and Chaz Green. Is the end of the streak here in 2020?
-Wide receiver Marcus Johnson has yet to practice in full pads, but looks to be very close to returning. If that is the case, Johnson might be the favorite for that No. 5 wideout job. But his lack of availability so far in camp has opened the door for the likes of WR-Reece Fountain, WR-Dezomn Patmon and WR-Ashton Dulin (who is a special teams guy).
-Third-round pick S-Julian Blackmon (ACL) remains on the non-football injury list, left watching practice. Frank Reich said on Friday that Blackmon is ‘getting closer,’ but emphasized a big picture view with him. “This is for the long haul,” Reich said when asked if Blackmon is close to making his practice debut in the NFL. Remember, the Colts originally said Blackmon might be sidelined until September/October, so this is not surprising. It’s possible Blackmon could start the year on injured reserve (with players allowed to return after Week Three).
-Couple of names that stood out to me on Friday for various reasons: WR-Artavis Scott, CB-Andre Chachere, C-Joey Hunt, DT-Taylor Stallworth.
-The Colts will have one more practice at Lucas Oil Stadium this Saturday. It will be the final ‘camp viewing’ of the offseason.
Injury Report: Kemoko Turay remains on the physically unable to perform list. Julian Blackmon is on the non-football injury list. Other guys who did not appear to be practicing on Friday included: CB-Kenny Moore (groin), WR-Parris Campbell (concussion protocol), WR-Zach Pascal (hamstring), WR-Marcus Johnson, DL-Sheldon Day (knee). Reich did not have a definite update on when Turay would make his practice debut in 2020, other than to say he’s making good progress last week. Reich said Day is ‘going to take a little time to heal’ as the Indy native has not participated in any of the full-padded practices so far. Moore is starting to do some on-field, change of direction, rehab work. He was originally supposed to miss ‘at least a week’ after getting hurt on August 17th.
Weekly Camp Schedule
-Saturday: 1:00-3:35 PM Lucas Oil Practice
