Colts training camp practice notes: Shane Steichen’s plan for week 2 of the preseason, young player star of the day and more
Onsite takeaways from the Colts August 10 training camp practice
The Indianapolis Colts retook the field in training camp on Sunday, August 10. With only a limited number of days left in Westfield, Indiana, before the team must make significant decisions to cut their roster down to 53 and, of course, name their starting QB for the season.
I was live at Grand Park watching practice on the field, and came away with multiple takeaways. From Steichen’s announcement for the team’s plan at QB for the second preseason game to two young players on both sides of the ball having dominant days.
Colts Training Camp Practice Updates from August 10
Colts’ plan for Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones for Week 2 of the preseason
After Anthony Richardson was forced to leave the Colts’ preseason opener early due to a finger injury, many, including myself, wondered how that would impact the team’s plan to start Daniel Jones next weekend against the Green Bay Packers. Well, head coach Shane Steichen made it offical by announcing that Jones will still get the start, but he is now only expected to play roughly two series, and Richardson will play the remainder of the first half.
Richardson got hurt during his second possession, so this plan puts both QBs on nearly an even playing field entering the final week of preseason, which was the team’s plan from the start. He also announced that the plan is for the starters to play roughly one quarter, give or take, which could give Richardson a chance to play with the starters as well in the end. Some will freak out about this plan, but I honestly think the Colts didn’t put much thought into this switch-up outside of making sure the QBs line up as close to even as they could after the first game. I’ll be interested to see if the team elects to name a starter following Week two of the preseason or if we see significant snaps for both come Week three as everyone awaits the conclusion of this QB battle.
Will Mallory was the star of practice
All the talk at TE for the Colts has been focused on their first round selection, Tyler Warren, for good reason, of course, but in my opinion, another TE was the star of practice today. That being the third year, TE Will Mallory, who, no matter the QB he was paired up with, made plays. He was creating separation consistently, and I don’t think he dropped a single attempt that came his way on the day. Warren is going to be the Colts’ alpha in the room, but I think there’s a lot of room for another TE to become the second most prominent pass catcher in the room. Mallory definitely has the second most upside in the room, and today in camp, it really felt like he was able to show that it’s not just upside; he can make an impact right now.
Laiatu Latu looks significantly improved from last season
Some would say the Colts’ first-round pick in 2024, Laiatu Latu, left more to be desired during his rookie season. And so far through training camp, it seems that Latu has taken those criticisms to heart. He has been by far the Colts’ best pass rusher in camp, and as of late, has been flat-out dominant. The team has been mixing in multiple players as the second starting edge rushers, with Samson Ebukam, Kwity Paye, J.T. Tuimoloau, and Tyquann Lewis all seeing reps with the starters. The consistent piece, though, has been Latu, who the team looks finally ready to treat like their top edge rusher, and he’s delivering. During Sunday’s practice, I credited Latu with four sacks during 11 on 11, and two of them came almost immediately after the snap. He’s shown off his ability to win with speed around the edge as well as overpowering offensive linemen when needed. The Colts are hoping to see Latu make the big sophomore leap so many have seen in the NFL over the years. I’m not ready to make an offical stat prediction, but what I will say is Latu has, without a doubt, looked like a double-digit sack player so far in camp.
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