5 areas where the Colts still have something to prove after training camp

Indianapolis Star

5 hours ago

WESTFIELD -- The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up the Grand Park portion of training camp in Thursday's joint practice against the Packers, setting the stage for Saturday's 1 p.m. preseason kickoff against Green Bay.
Injuries have hit the Colts hard over the last two weeks, decimating the cornerback position and creating a temporary deficit at wide receiver and defensive end, although those two spots appear to have fewer long-term concerns than cornerback.
Injury has also opened the door for a handful of players to make an impression in training camp, impressions that players have a chance to cement in the final two preseason games before the Colts cut the roster down to 53 players on Aug. 26.
With that in mind, here are five spots to watch over the next week, beginning with Saturday's home game against the Packers and ending with the preseason finale in Cincinnati.
The battle is still raging between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones.
Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen acknowledged Thursday night that time is drawing thin for the Colts to make a decision at the position, but he also said he hasn't made his decision yet, preferring to see how everything plays out in the Packers game and potentially beyond.
Jones gets the first two series against Green Bay before giving way to Richardson for the rest of the half, a division of labor designed to invert the way the Colts were forced to play the two quarterbacks against Baltimore, considering Richardson was knocked out of the game with a dislocated pinky finger on the second series.
The two quarterbacks have essentially lived up to their reputations in training camp. By IndyStar's unofficial count, Richardson completed 59.2% of his throws, mixing periods of high efficiency with lapses of accuracy, although he didn't consistently throw the deep ball the way he has in the past. Jones completed 68.8% of his throws, but he did not make many plays with the deep ball, and he was often inconsistent on intermediate passes over the middle.
The deciding factor may come down to the stuff that isn't easy for fans, media and even the Colts front-office staff to see: the decision-making. The coaching staff knows where the ball is supposed to go on each play, which checks and audibles should have been made. That will likely play a key role in the decision.
Colts news: What Colts coach Shane Steichen said about picking a QB
Giddens looks like the Colts' best bet to provide a true change of pace for Jonathan Taylor.
But it hasn't always been clear that he's going to get that role during training camp. Incumbent backup Tyler Goodson has taken most of the snaps behind Taylor throughout camp, and he has burst, but he's been limited when given opportunities in the regular season the past two years.
Giddens, on the other hand, has upside as a runner and pass-catcher. The rookie did drop a pass in the first preseason game, but he's been otherwise reliable as a receiver during training camp, and although he doesn't have Goodson's burst through the hole, he has a knack for finding the hole, avoiding trouble along the way.
Big performances by Giddens in the final two preseason games could seal a key offensive role, considering that Goodson is also expected to play a major role on special teams.
The Indianapolis starters struggled in the joint practice against Green Bay, but the top five appear to be set, and history suggests that Thursday night's performance was more of an aberration than the expected.
An injury to any one of the top five linemen is going to produce questions. Veteran center Danny Pinter has missed more than a week due to injury, which will likely make him Tanor Bortolini's backup at center. Dalton Tucker, by default, appears to be the front-runner to be the top backup at guard, unless Wesley French's versatility puts him in that mix.
Then there's the swing tackle job, where rookie Jalen Travis has been battling against Blake Freeland, a third-year player trying to regain momentum. The No. 2 offensive line has had issues during training camp, and if the Colts decide they need help, Indianapolis could wait until the waiver wire to try to find the help it needs.
Zaire Franklin is the one known commodity at the position.
An ankle injury has knocked the heir apparent on the weak side, Jaylon Carlies, out of the mix.
Carlies, who also missed the spring workouts due to offseason shoulder surgery, has likely missed too much time due to injury at this point to have the full confidence of the coaching staff, taking away the Colts' primary plan for Franklin's running mate. Making matters worse, Carlies was still wearing a boot on his right ankle at the joint practice Thursday night, making it unclear when he'll return.
That leaves the spot wide open.
Veteran Joe Bachie has been the most productive linebacker in training camp, Lawrence Central product Cameron McGrone has been up and down and developmental linebacker Austin Ajiake has flashed at times.
A clear front-runner for the position hasn't emerged yet; the final two preseason games might tell the tale.
Edwards, an undrafted free agent from Tulane, probably started out training camp hoping to prove himself as a practice squad player. The Colts were loaded with experience at the position.
Injuries to Justin Walley (torn ACL), Kenny Moore II (knee), Jaylon Jones (hamstring) and JuJu Brents (hamstring) have pushed Edwards into the starting lineup for the time being. Edwards likely will not have to start the season opener unless another injury occurs, but a path to the 53-man roster is suddenly available, and Edwards has gotten the majority of the chances with the starting unit.
A breakout performance against either the Packers or Bengals could make him a sleeper addition to the 53-man roster.