Even though they were never on the field together, Anthony Richardson and Ashton Dulin learned a lot about each other last year.
They both spent almost the entire 2023 season rehabbing their respective injuries side-by-side; Dulin tore his ACL in training camp and Richardson's season-ending shoulder injury came in Week 5. While working out next to each other, the wide receiver and quarterback traded notes on everything from what exercises were most effective and how they could run certain plays to how their loved ones were doing and what their personal lives were like.
There were two things about Dulin that stood out to Richardson: His attitude and his taste in music.
Dulin, now in his sixth year with the Colts, has become known for his music taste, and he's embraced it.
"If you hear me on the aux and it's some old-school playing, everybody's going to say 'Oh yeah, that's Ashton on the aux for sure,'" Dulin said with a grin.
Maxwell, the Isley Brothers, Gap Band – you name it, Dulin probably knows it, and it's probably on his playlist.
"That was kind of my vibe all rehab, just calm, cool and collected," Dulin explained. "You know, when you have the old-schools going you're kind of just level-headed, relaxed."
It's not much of a surprise, then, to learn that as Dulin drove to Lucas Oil Stadium for the Colts' 2024 season opener against the Houston Texans on Sunday, that he was listening to old-school R&B.
"I had some Maxwell playing, I actually had a little Ashanti going as well, little Jill Scott," he said Wednesday. "Nice and chill, kind of relaxed, and then when I got into the stadium I kind of ramped it up."
It's safe to say Dulin's approach paid off.
The wide receiver, in his first game since Jan. 8, 2022, caught a laser of a throw up the middle from Richardson and sprinted down the field for a 54-yard touchdown. It was Dulin's fifth touchdown of his NFL career, and first since Dec. 2021.
"It was a great feeling," Dulin said. "Just to come off the rehab and to be in the first game back and then to score in that same game, it was kind of a surreal moment. It's a blessing for sure, all the hard work kind of coming to fruition. But definitely not done yet."
Sunday's game was important for Dulin individually, as he was finally able to reap the rewards from all of his hard work over the last year, but it was just as important for the entire Colts offense; it proved Richardson has another downfield receiver he can sling it to.
"He did all the hard work, honestly," Dulin said. "He put it in a perfect spot, (I) didn't have to break stride at all. Those are the kind of balls you want going across the middle, not have to break stride, just kind of run through it and get to the end zone from there."
Off the field, Dulin embodies the same vibe as his old-school R&B; he's on the quieter side, usually walking around with a calm and relaxed attitude. But as he gets closer to game time and his playlist shifts to rap and other hype music, so does his demeanor. And when he celebrated and chest-bumped his teammates after his touchdown, Dulin showed his other side – and just how much he was feeling himself.
"It's definitely a confidence booster," Dulin added. "It kind of just attests to all the work I did in the offseason and throughout rehab, just getting myself back to where I was before."
Thursday's full practice report:
