The Indianapolis Colts officially started organized team activities (OTA) this week at their facility on West 56th Street.
Though no live contact is permitted and pads are not being worn, this is the first time the Colts are able to conduct scrimmages between the offense and defense.
Much of what we learn should be taken with a grain of salt, but there are still a handful of noteworthy takeaways to note.
Biggest takeaways from Week 1 of Colts OTAs
Anthony Richardson is back and looks good
The electric, dual-threat quarterback didn’t have any limitations in team drills as he worked his way back from shoulder surgery that ended his rookie season after just four starts. Richardson looked smooth in team drills, and head coach Shane Steichen noted some improvements in his processing.
“Just accelerated vision stuff. Mechanics are obviously part of it, but I think just accelerated vision, knowing where to go with the football and when to go with the football. Going through your reads, different coverages can dictate where that ball gets thrown. He does a good job with that, knowing where to go with the ball,” Steichen said this week.
The Colts’ season hinges on Richardson’s health and development, but all signs are positive at the start of OTAs.
Michael Pittman Jr injury update
There was a slightly scary moment when the offense’s top target collided with cornerback Jaylon Jones. Pittman gingerly walked off the field after banging knees with the second-year cornerback. Fortunately, the injury doesn’t appear serious. Whether the Colts will be more cautious with Pittman moving forward remains to be seen.
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Wide open competition at cornerback
Behind Kenny Moore II, it seems the Colts have a wide-open competition at the cornerback position. Even though second-round pick JuJu Brents is a heavy favorite for one of the starting boundary roles, Steichen noted that there’s still an open competition.
“Yeah, I mean we’ve got some guys obviously, but we compete every day. Those guys go out and compete. But like the corner spot with those guys that we have right now, and shoot, they’re playing well right now in these first two OTAs, so it’s good to see.”
Rookie impressions
There isn’t a whole lot of room for rookies to make a major impact considering the lack of significant roles up for grabs. However, fifth-round pick linebacker Jaylon Carlies had a solid showing on the day the media was on site to watch practice. The Missouri product nabbed an interception over the middle from Joe Flacco, garnering praise from his head coach.
Colts injury updates
Right tackle Braden Smith (knee) and wide receiver Ashton Dulin (knee) did not participate in the practice open to the media. Smith had offseason surgery on his knee but expects to return at some point. Dulin is still working back from a torn ACL he suffered during the preseason.
In other injury news, Jelani Woods (hamstring) was extremely active as a pass-catcher. He missed the entire season due to nagging hamstring injuries. Cornerback Dallis Flowers (Achilles) also was on the field months after tearing his Achilles in the Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams.
For more Colts coverage, check out Kevin Hickey’s work on Sporting News.
