INDIANAPOLIS –More than 13,000 fans took in the first Training Camp practice of 2017 for the Indianapolis Colts.
It was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon for the Colts to open up the roof at Lucas Oil Stadium, working two weeks before their preseason opener.
What were the takeaways from the Colts' first practice of the 2017 Training Camp.
PRACTICE TAKEAWAYS
- From a lineup standpoint, we saw one change on Sunday that could impact how many viewed the expected 2017 starting offensive line. On Saturday, Jack Mewhort worked primarily at right guard (he normally plays left guard) and Joe Haeg flipped spots to left guard (Haeg worked this spring at right guard).
Both players have seen time at each guard spot throughout their respective NFL careers. It is new for center Ryan Kelly to have Mewhort to the right of him. Chuck Pagano said after practice the Colts will be shuffling things up front. The starting personnel up front is still the same, but where each guy lines up has changed (for now). Are the Colts trying to put a veteran on the right side (Mewhort) to complement young right tackle Le'Raven Clark? Will Sunday's look be a permanent switch? Remember, the Colts want to improve on how they handled their line stunts from player-to-player last year.
- Malik Hooker is back. The rookie safety made his professional debut on Sunday afternoon. The Colts have Hooker on a pitch count as he continues to rehab from his January surgery (hip and hernia). Hooker mainly worked with the second unit.
Even with Hooker back, the starting safeties on Sunday were Darius Butler and Matthias Farley, with T.J. Green also getting a look. Expect the Colts to ease Hooker into potential starting reps.
- Sunday was a nice afternoon for the defensive backs. With inconsistent quarterback play, the DBs had several pass breakups and a pick six from youngster Tevin Mitchel.
At cornerback, rookie Quincy Wilson crept into the starting lineup at times, with Rashaan Melvin still holding onto the starting job, opposite Vontae Davis. Several defensive backs made plays on the ball Sunday, an area the Colts have harped all offseason long in search of more playmaking.
OTHER PRACTICE MUSINGS
- Quarterback Scott Tolzien continued to receive the first-team action, with Andrew Luck relegated to signing autographs on Sunday. It was an up-and-down day for Tolzien.
- The inside linebacker group saw three popular names rotating into the starting lineup. Newcomer Jon Bostic and second-year inside linebacker Antonio Morrison were the starters. Returning starter Edwin Jackson also saw starting action. This is a group that could be very fluid early on in camp.
- Chester Rogers is your early, early favorite to be the No. 3 wideout. When the Colts deployed three receivers in 11-on-11 drills, it was Rogers playing with T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief.
- As the Colts work Frank Gore back up to full speed, Robert Turbin is getting a chance to showcase his ability on early downs. Josh Ferguson and Marlon Mack also showed their bursts on Saturday.
- Sunday's practice was pretty much an extension of what we saw in OTAs. Guys participated in shorts and helmets. Full pads are coming on Tuesday.
- Fans still have one more chance to catch the Colts in Training Camp. While practices at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center are closed to the public, the Colts will have an open practice Saturday night at Warren Central High School. Details on that practice can be found here.
INJURY REPORT
The following players did not participate in Sunday's practice: S-Clayton Geathers (neck), DE-Kendall Langford (knee), QB-Andrew Luck (shoulder) and OL-Brian Schwenke (right leg). All four of those guys are on the physically unable to perform list. Undrafted rookie tight end Darrell Daniels also sat out practice.
ROSTER MOVE
On Sunday afternoon, the Colts claimed tight end Henry Krieger-Coble off waivers (from Denver) and waived tight end Colin Jeter.
Krieger-Coble, 6-4, 248 pounds, played in the final two games of the 2016 season with the Broncos and caught one pass for 13 yards. He spent the first 15 weeks on Denver's practice squad before being signed to the team's active roster on December 23. Krieger-Coble originally signed with Denver as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2016. He participated in the team's 2016 offseason program and training camp before being waived during final cuts on September 4.
PAGANO QUOTEWORTHY
Chuck Pagano on flipping RG-Jack Mewhort and LG-Joe Haeg:
"Right now, obviously we've got a bunch of guys that have played a bunch of spots. Flexibility is huge. Versatility is huge. We're going to start right now with Mewhort, with Jack on the right side and Joe (Haeg) on the left side. But you guys are going to see throughout the course of training camp those guys moving around obviously. With Ryan Kelly and with (Brian) Schwenke down right now, and (Deyshawn) Bond playing some center, you're going to see Joe Haeg at center. You'll see Jack (Mewhort) moving around some. We've got to be able to have flexibility there and we're fortunate enough to have guys that can do that."
PLAYER QUOTE OF THE DAY
Safety Malik Hooker on the amount of catch up he feels he has to do:
"Not too much. Pretty much get my feet back under me, with getting back to technique and the fundamentals. The film study – that's all I've been doing this offseason is studying film."
TWEET OF THE DAY
12 is in the building. #ColtsCamp pic.twitter.com/xrrMVktBWQ — Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) July 30, 2017
CAMP SCHEDULE (all practices closed to the public, besides Saturday, August 5 at Warren Central High School)
Monday, July 31
8:00 – 10:45 a.m. – Practice
Tuesday, August 1
8:00 – 10:45 a.m. – Practice
Wednesday, August 2
Players' Day Off
Thursday, August 3
8:00 – 10:45 a.m. – Practice
Friday, August 4
8:00 – 10:45 a.m. – PracticeSaturday, August 5 – Practice at Warren Central High School (open to the public)
5:50 – 8:20 p.m. – Practice **
**Sunday, August 6
2:20-4:50 p.m. – Practice**
**Monday, August 7
Players' Day Off
Tuesday, August 8
8:00-10:45 a.m. – Practice **
**Wednesday, August 9
8:00-10:45 a.m. – Practice **
**Thursday, August 10 – Joint practice with Detroit Lions
9:30-11:40 a.m. – Practice **
**Friday, August 11 – Joint practice with Detroit Lions
9:30-11:40 a.m. – Practice **
**Sunday, August 13
Preseason Game 1 – Indianapolis vs. Detroit – 1:30 p.m.**
**Monday, August 14
Players' Day Off **
**Tuesday, August 15
1:45-4:05 p.m. – Practice**
**Wednesday, August 16
8:00-10:45 a.m. – Practice **
**Thursday, August 17
8:00-10:45 a.m. – Practice*
The analysis from those producing content on Colts.com does not necessarily represent the thoughts of the Indianapolis Colts organization. Any conjecture, analysis or opinions formed by Colts.com content creators is not based on inside knowledge gained from team officials, players or staff.*
