Takeaways from Colts v. Ravens joint practice: QBs are efficient; big day for AD Mitchell

Yahoo

07-08-2025

Prior to the Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens facing off on Thursday in the preseason opener, the two participated in a joint scrimmage on Tuesday.
These joint practices can be quite valuable, mainly because they allow the starters from both teams to compete in a game-like but more controlled environment than a preseason game, where many won't play.
As always, there is plenty that takes place in these practices, but here are the three big things you need to know.
Efficient days for Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones
As Nate Atkins of the Indy Star put it, both Richardson and Jones were "sharp" on Tuesday. By Atkins' count, Richardson would finish the practice 10-for-13 passing while Jones was 14-of-17.
While what took place in 2024 has no bearing on what happens in 2025, this was a Ravens defense last season that ranked eighth in points per game and sixth in yards per play.
Following the practice, Shane Steichen announced that Richardson would start against Baltimore on Thursday. He will play about a quarter and a half, and then Jones will finish out the second quarter. Next week against Green Bay, the roles will flip.
Another big day for AD Mitchell
After a rocky start to training camp, which included several drops over the first few practices, Mitchell hasn't only found that elusive consistency, but he's been playing at a very high level as well.
In Amanda Foster's post-training camp notebook, she noted that Mitchell had multiple receptions against the Baltimore defense, including a contested downfield throw from Richardson.
With Mitchell's combination of athleticism and route running, he's always been an extremely difficult matchup and excellent at creating separation. However, as a rookie, dropped passes and mistimed or wrong routes led to inconsistent play.
Now with a full offseason under his belt, Mitchell is playing confidently, and the big plays are coming his way.
"Now we in Year 2 now, and I just feel more comfortable," Mitchell said after Saturday's practice via the Indy Star. Whether it's in the meeting rooms, walkthroughs. I'm not focused on what the play is, what do I have to do? I'm focused on how I'm doing it and why I'm doing it, and what I'm doing."
Another injury at cornerback
The Colts are already short-handed at cornerback with Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents working through hamstring injuries that have held each of them out of recent practices.
Unfortunately, Justin Walley would sustain a knee injury in Tuesday's joint practice. He was sidelined for the second half of the practice with ice on his knee.
As of now, no further updates have been provided.
With the starting cornerback job opposite of Charvarius Ward up for grabs, Walley had positioned himself well to earn those snaps with his play during offseason programs and into training camp.
To boost their cornerback depth, the Colts recently signed Tre Herndon, Duke Shelley, and Chris Lammons, while also releasing Corey Ballentine.
Other quick notes
- According to Jake Arthur of Horseshoe Huddle, the Colts' defensive line had a "solid" day during the 11-on-11 periods.
- Rookie safety Hunte Wohler also came away with two interceptions and had "multiple pass breakups" in one-on-ones, wrote Arthur.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts training camp: 3 Takeaways from joint practice vs. Ravens