Colts Wednesday Notebook: Mooney Ward Talks Back Injury
- Mooney Ward managing back pain, Colts need reliable CB depth
- Rookie Deion Burks showing growth after rough start, competing for roster spot
- Injuries sidelining key offensive players for preseason finale
Colts Wednesday Notebook: Mooney Ward Talks Back Injury
INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts are in the midst of mimicking a regular season week, with a preseason finale coming Saturday, followed by roster cuts from 90 to 53 on Sunday.
Wednesday was Day 2 of three straight Colts practices, as the team is planning to play some starters on Saturday.
Here are the takeaways from Wednesday with the Colts:
-Mooney Ward (back pain) is back to practice, planning to take part in some team reps on Wednesday. Some back pain, which Ward also dealt with last season, flared up during the team’s August 9th practice, and led to him missing the next three weeks. Ward, 30, said on Wednesday that he will have to “manage” and “deal with” this back pain throughout the upcoming season. This is another reminder of the Colts needing to have reliable cornerback depth for 2026. That means Justin Walley delivering on his tremendous look in practice (Ward called Walley the Colts DB who had the best training camp). And it means Cam Taylor-Britt being a reliable option as that next cornerback up. For those curious, don’t expect Ward to play in Saturday’s preseason finale.
-Reggie Wayne has been very pleased with the needed growth from rookie Deion Burks this offseason. A candid Wayne said Burks had a “rough spring” offseason program, but has been really pleased with his response in the mental part of the game. That’s allowed for Burks to play more to his desired speed. Burks did have a team-high 4 catches on Saturday and that doesn’t include a 13-yard third-down conversion that was called back due to penalty. I think Burks is one of the harder guys to project on the 53-man roster. If the Colts can handle their kick/punt return duties to guys already on the 53-man roster (think Seth McGowan and Ashton Dulin), then that could open up a end of the roster wideout spot. Is that where Burks could show up come Sunday, when the cut from 90 to 53 must occur?
-It’s a “very minor” calf injury according to Josh Downs that has him currently sidelined. That’s a bummer for Anthony Richardson Sr., as it looks like he will be operating the “starting” offense Saturday without top skill guys in Jonathan Taylor (rest), Alec Pierce (ankle/heel), Tyler Warren (right groin) and Downs (calf). Downs did say on Wednesday that he thought this training camp was his best in 4 NFL seasons, as the Colts did move him around their offense a little bit more.
-Story will be updated with practice notes following Wednesday’s viewing.
-The Colts will practice Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday this week, leading into Saturday’s preseason finale at Lucas Oil Stadium.
