ANDERSON, Ind. – After three days away from practice/game action, the Colts were back in Anderson University on Tuesday for the final stretch of Training Camp.
Tuesday's afternoon practice was in shoulder pads and helmets, with the Colts expected to strap on the full pads Wednesday.
What were the takeaways from the Colts' ninth day on the practice field in Anderson?
PRACTICE TAKEAWAYS
- Ryan Kelly was back to work on Tuesday. It wasn't a lot of team action for Kelly, but it was important to get him back after a shoulder sprain kept the first-round pick sidelined for five days.
The Colts will monitor Kelly in him coming back to work. Ideally, the Colts would get Kelly on the field for some time this Saturday night. If the starters play a series or two, that would be plenty of work to see Kelly in a game setting, against one of the league's most talented front seven's.
- You needed your roster on Tuesday to make sure the numbers and names matched up on the defensive line. The starting defensive line on Tuesday was as followed: T.Y. McGill, Zach Kerr and Hassan Ridgeway (David Parry sat out on Tuesday, too).
The Colts love their defensive line depth. But life without Kendall Langford (three-to-four weeks due to a knee scope) is going to force guys thought to be reserves into starting-type reps. The glass half-full look at this is if the likes of Langford, Arthur Jones and Henry Anderson return healthy, then the Colts will have built some quality depth.
- Tuesday was a nice afternoon for Andrew Luck. Completions are one thing. And Luck had plenty of those on Tuesday. It was his placement of those completions on Tuesday that was impressive. Frequently on Tuesday, it was Luck putting balls in spots where only his receiver could make a play on the ball.
If we are looking ahead to playing time for the starters this Saturday, a series or two is probably a good bet. That is what the Colts have done in past preseason openers.
OTHER PRACTICE MUSINGS
- Hugh Thornton was observing Tuesday's practice. That meant continued first-team work for Denzelle Good at right guard.
- One of the highlights on Tuesday came from 35-year-old safety Mike Adams winning a jump ball over 23-year-old wide receiver Jacoby Brissett. From the sideline, a yelling Robert Mathis said: "That's 35 out jumping 25."
- Undrafted running back Josh Ferguson received some praise from Andrew Luck on Tuesday. A play-action fake sold by Ferguson, sprung T.Y. Hilton wide open in the middle of the field for a red-zone touchdown. After the play, Luck jogged towards Ferguson to compliment his selling of the fake.
- Joe Reitz (groin) is day-to-day and missed Tuesday's practice. Fifth-round pick Joe Haeg has been receiving the starting reps at right tackle, in place of Reitz. The Colts clearly like Haeg, considering he's seen first-team action at right guard and right tackle this offseason.
- Tuesday was more situational work for the Colts. Specific drills in the red zone, end of clock and two-minute sessions were a focus on Tuesday.
- We have a lefty punter sighting at Training Camp. With Pat McAfee tweaking his knee, Michael Palardy was your punter on Tuesday afternoon.
INJURY REPORT
The following players did not participate in Tuesday's practice: DE-Kendall Langford (knee), OG-Hugh Thornton (ankle), CB-Tevin Mitchel (hamstring), OT-Joe Reitz (groin), P-Pat McAfee (knee), OLB-Robert Mathis (rest/knee) and WR-Marcus Leak (quad). Nose tackle David Parry (undisclosed) also missed Tuesday's practice. Parry was present at practice.
PAGANO QUOTEWORTHY
Chuck Pagano on the progress of Henry Anderson:
"He's ahead (of schedule). But again, they all want to get out there. He has done a tremendous job. Our training staff and doctors have done a tremendous job. Coaches are putting eyes on him, watching our trainers putting him through individual (work). He is moving great, now it is just a matter of when do you make that decision to put him into some live action and have him take on a double team. He is going to feel great at some point and they are going to clear him and make him ready for play. But again, confidence-wise, they all, when playing that position, until you take on that double team and feel the weight of 650-700 pounds leaning on you, you really don't know."
PLAYER QUOTE OF THE DAY
Denzelle Good on making the switch from tackle to guard:
"Everything is just a little more shortened up. Everything is a lot quicker. You just have to have a little more power as far as your technique and your stance. You just have to be more balanced."
TWEET OF THE DAY
YESTERDAY'S TRIVIA QUIZMarvin Harrison is one of three wide receivers in NFL history to record 80-plus receptions in eight consecutive seasons. Who are the other two players to accomplish this feat?
ANSWER: Jerry Rice and Torry Holt.
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUIZ
Since coming to the Colts in 2014, Mike Adams ranks third in the NFL in interceptions. How many picks does Adams have?
PRACTICE ATTENDANCE: 1,105 TOTAL FOR CAMP: 18,683
WEATHER REPORT
It's the dog days of summer in Anderson. Temps in the 90s are expected for the Colts' final two days of camp at the Division III university.
CAMP SCHEDULE
Wednesday, August 10
1:55-4:10 p.m. – Practice
12:30 p.m. – Colts City opens
5:00 p.m. – Colts City closes
Thursday, August 11 – BREAK CAMP
8:05-10:30 a.m. – Practice
Colts City Closed
