INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts had their hottest, and longest, practice of camp on Tuesday.
Starting quarterback Carson Wentz was back participating for a second straight day.
Here are takeaways from the team’s 19th practice of camp.
- The immediate questions exiting Monday’s practice for Carson Wentz were this: How would his foot respond from returning to practice? Is he ready to practice on consecutive days? He answered both those by participating on Tuesday, taking part in the same amount of practice as he did on Monday. Wentz went 19-of-31 in his two 7-on-7 sessions on Tuesday. He did toss two interceptions, one on a ball slightly behind, and not on time, to Dezmon Patmon’s out route, and the other in the red zone with linebacker Matthew Adams deflecting a pass over the middle and safety Sean Davis coming down with the INT. After completing 60 percent of his passes on Monday, Wentz was at 61.2 percent on Tuesday. We continue to see zero hesitation out of Wentz on the field in regards to his foot. He’s not been afraid to get out of the 7-on-7 confined pocket to deliver throws on the run. Wentz had a nice run of touchdowns in the red zone 7-on-7 period, including a beautiful toe tap TD to Michael Pittman in the corner of the end zone. Wentz completed balls to the following players on Tuesday: Jonathan Taylor 5x, Zach Pascal 2x, Mo Alie-Cox 2x, Nyheim Hines, T.Y. Hilton, Jordan Thomas, DeMichael Harris, Jordan Wilkins, Tyler Vaughns, Ashton Dulin, Parris Campbell, Kylen Granson.
- With Wentz at quarterback, the entire field is available to the Colts. Wentz’s highlight on Tuesday came on a beautiful move by T.Y. Hilton to torch Xavier Rhodes, with No. 2 finding a wide-open No. 13 for a 65-yard touchdown. Probably the thing you notice the most about Wentz operating the Colts is his ability to make second-level throws. There’s a velocity and ease combination that Wentz makes on those throws that separates him from the other QBs on the Colts roster. You also notice progressions being sifted through quicker when Wentz is playing quarterback. Offensive coordinator Marcus Brady said after Tuesday’s practice that Wentz had ‘general camp soreness’ after the QB’s first practice back, but no pain in his injured foot.
- It was a much better day from Jacob Eason on Tuesday. Eason was 11-of-14 on Tuesday, taking 2 of the 5 starting periods. Eason had a well-run 6-of-7 two-minute drill with the starters that ended with Rodrigo Blankenship knocking home a field goal from 54 yards. Eason completed balls to Michael Pittman 2x, T.Y. Hilton 2x, Zach Pascal 2x, Jack Doyle 2x, Kylen Granson, DeMichael Harris, Jordan Wilkins.
- Sam Ehlinger got the initial look with the starters on Tuesday and quarterbacked the first unit in 3 of 5 team periods. Ehlinger was 6-of-10, having a rough red-zone period against the starting defense. Ehlinger completed balls to Jonathan Taylor 2x, Nyheim Hines, Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox and Zach Pascal.
- Looking at Friday’s preseason finale, the Colts will make a decision on the starting quarterback on Tuesday night. Given the fact that Eason has yet to take reps with the first team this preseason, the assumption is he will get the first look with some starters on Friday.
- We’ve yet to see Carson Wentz and Quenton Nelson back in team reps yet, but Ryan Kelly did take some 11-on-11 action on Tuesday.
- The best player at practice on Tuesday was second-year cornerback Isaiah Rodgers. He made a terrific jump on a 7-on-7 out route by Carson Wentz, picking it off and returning it for a pick six. Rodgers had a couple nice plays in coverage. With T.J. Carrie and Marvell Tell missing time over the last week, this was a good day of work from Rodgers. He’s making this roster.
- Rookie Shawn Davis hasn’t made much of an impact in camp, but he did get a few starting reps with Khari Willis working on a pitch count during Tuesday’s practice.
- We have a winner in the kicking competition. Rodrigo Blankenship has beat out Eddy Pineiro for the placekicking job in Indianapolis. The Colts decided to waive Pineiro on Tuesday, needing to get down to the mandated number of 80 guys on the roster by 4:00. Both kickers were perfect, literally not missing a single kick, throughout camp and the preseason. It shouldn’t shock anyone if Pineiro is claimed by another team. Kudos to Hot Rod for keeping his placekicking job for a second straight season, and not giving Pineiro any sliver of hope.
- If you are guessing at the Colts gunners in 2021, it was safety George Odum and wide receiver Ashton Dulin on those duties at Tuesday’s practice. Is Dulin’s special teams worth enough for him to earn a roster spot?
- A note on the Dulin/roster spot debate, OC-Marcus Brady mentioned today that WR-Dezmon Patmon is a guy that has shown up more in games than in practices. That’s obviously a good thing as Patmon tries to secure a spot on the 53-man roster.
- Tight end Farrod Green (hip) landed awkwardly making a catch on Tuesday and did not return to practice. Green was doing some light jogging after receiving medical attention. If the Colts keep a 4th tight end, Green figures to be a guy, along with Jordan Thomas.
- Guys that stood out at Tuesday’s practice: CB-Isaiah Rodgers, WR-Michael Pittman, QB-Jacob Eason, S-Sean Davis.
- With the Pineiro news, the Colts then waived/injured TE-Noah Togiai on Tuesday afternoon to get their roster down to the mandated number of 80. The big and final cut down to 53 players comes next Tuesday (August 31st).
- The Colts will have one more practice at Grand Park before closing camp. This practice is just open to season ticket members. The team’s preseason finale is Friday in Detroit at 7:00 PM.
Injury Report: The following players did not appear to be participating at Tuesday’s practice: WR-Mike Strachan (illness, non-COVID), LB-Jordan Glasgow (back), TE-Noah Togiai, C-Danny Pinter (foot, in a boot), LB-E.J. Speed (knee), LB-Malik Jefferson, CB-Marvell Tell, CB-T.J. Carrie, OT-Carter O’Donnell, CB-Andre Chachere (concussion), DT-Antwaun Woods (hamstring).
Weekly Camp Schedule
-Wednesday: 10:00-11:30 Practice (final practice of camp)
-Thursday: Off Day
-Friday: Final preseason game (at Detroit at 7:00 PM)
