INDIANAPOLIS – For the second straight training camp at Grand Park, the Colts are monitoring a lower body injury for their starting quarterback before August arrives.
Carson Wentz felt a ‘twinge’ in one of his feet near the end of Thursday’s practice, which caused him to miss Friday’s third session of camp.
The Colts are doing further testing on Wentz’s injured foot, which occurred via a non-contact injury and came on a roll out when he was planting to throw. Jacob Eason actually replaced Wentz for the final 11-on-11 session during Thursday’s practice.
Offensive coordinator Marcus Brady, who is handling some of the ‘head coach’ media duties with Frank Reich still absent, did not have a timetable on when Wentz might return. Brady said Wentz is still consulting with doctors in pinpointing the exact evaluation. Unlike other injured players, Wentz did not attend Friday’s practice.
While the injury to Wentz is not involving his throwing shoulder, it should be noted that re-building his lower base has been a major focus of his offseason work. Also, his feet certainly help him create the threat of running and moving outside of the pocket, which is something we saw during his first two days of practice.
Any missed time during camp for Wentz hurts, especially for a QB experiencing new personnel and for a guy who was benched last season.
Here are my takeaways from the Colts third practice of the week:
- Jacob Eason ended Thursday’s practice with the starters and handled those duties all throughout Friday’s session. Eason finished the day 12-of-17 with a horrific interception right into the hands of Bobby Okereke. It felt like a Jacoby Brissett check down day for Eason, with him making an un-Brissett like decision with the interception. That INT came after several progressions, yet still on a throw that was not traveling very far down the field. Eason completed passes to Michael Pittman 3x, Mo Alie-Cox 3x, Jonathan Taylor 3x, Mike Strachan, Zach Pascal and Parris Campbell. Given this was Eason’s first extensive first-team work, and that he was down 5 fellow starters around him, this was probably the ‘meh’ performance to expect.
- Rookie Sam Ehlinger ran the second unit and went 8-of-10 in team work on Friday. It was also mostly a check down day for Ehlinger, with the Colts focusing a lot on third-down situations.
- Friday was a feasting day for the Colts defensive ends against all the offensive tackles. Kwity Paye and Kemoko Turay had several ‘would be’ sacks. It was a strong day for the edge rush.
- After two days of Will Holden at left tackle with the starters, Sam Tevi got his run with the first team on Friday. It sounds like the Colts want to give those guys multiple days in a row with the starters to try and get into some rhythm.
- Friday was our first look at the placekicking competition. Both Rodrigo Blankenship and Eddy Pinerio were a perfect 3-of-3, connecting from 33, 42 and 50 yards. Hot Rod met the media after practice and mentioned that his extra weight room work has him up 4 pounds from last year. He’s noticed more distance on his kicks, stating that he feels comfortable from upwards of 65-66 yards.
- The Colts were down around 8 starters on Friday: LT-Eric Fisher (Achilles), LG-Quenton Nelson (rest), C-Ryan Kelly (elbow), TE-Jack Doyle (rest), WR-T.Y. Hilton (rest), LB-Darius Leonard (ankle), CB-Xavier Rhodes (rest), CB-T.J. Carrie (rest). With the offensive line down to two starters, the Colts had LT-Sam Tevi, LG-Chris Reed and C-Danny Pinter getting starting run.
- Friday was a strong day for Kwity Paye. You saw his athleticism pop a little bit more, both in 1-on-1 drills and in team settings.
- Seeing Mike Strachan split out in a 1-on-1 drill, your eyes are instantly drawn toward such a size difference. Strachan hauled in a deep ball in one of those reps on Friday, making it look very easy along the sideline. It was a small glimpse of what the Colts could potentially have if they can scheme up him isolated in the red zone.
- Friday brought our first scuffle of camp. During a 7-on-7 rep, Michael Pittman didn’t like safety Ibraheim Campbell’s physicality after the whistle. The two got into it with Pittman throwing Campbell to the ground. There’s no USC pretty boy when Pittman is on the field.
- Marcus Brady said Ryan Kelly (elbow) is expected to miss a couple of weeks with his injured elbow. Kelly was at Friday’s practice rocking what looked like a Barry Bonds elbow pad. With Kelly out, expect Danny Pinter (2019 fifth-round pick) to get the starting run.
- The Colts broke a few big runs on Friday with Jonathan Taylor, Jordan Wilkins and Marlon Mack all involved.
- Darius Leonard (ankle) and Eric Fisher (Achilles) both got in some field work with members of the rehab staff during Friday’s practice.
- For those curious on some available quarterbacks out there right now (Marcus Brady deflected a question on if the Colts will add another QB arm with Wentz’s injury), you have Robert Griffin III, Matt Barkley, Blake Bortles, Sean Mannion, Matt Schaub and Ryan Finley. Yes, we do need to note those names, just in case.
- Couple of names that stood out to me on Friday for various reasons: DE-Ben Banogu, TE-Kylen Granson, DE-Isaac Rochell, LB-Bobby Okereke, RB-Jonathan Taylor
- The Colts will have one more practice Saturday before an off day on Sunday. See the schedule below.
Injury Report: The following players did not appear to be participating at Friday’s practice: RB-Nyheim Hines (hip, expected to miss a couple of days), S-Shawn Davis (hamstring), S-George Odum (back), LB-Darius Leonard (ankle), C-Ryan Kelly (elbow), QB-Carson Wentz (foot), LG-Quenton Nelson (rest), WR-T.Y. Hilton (rest), TE-Jack Doyle (rest). Leonard was not wearing a boot while watching Friday’s practice. Just a reminder that OT-Eric Fisher (physically unable to perform list) and DE-Dayo Odeyingbo (non-football injury list) remain sidelined. On the COVID-19 list: OT-Julie’n Davenport, DE-Al-Quadin Muhammad, CB-Xavier Rhodes, CB-T.J. Carrie. Frank Reich remains absent due to his positive COVID-19 test last week.
Weekly Camp Schedule
-Saturday: 1:00-2:30 Practice
-Sunday: Off day
-Monday: 10:00-11:30 Practice
-Tuesday: 10:00-11:45 Practice
-Wednesday: 10:00-11:45 Practice
-Thursday: Off day
