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Offseason Notebook

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Colts Offseason Program Notebook: Healthy and Motivated, Parris Campbell And Dayo Odeyingbo Aiming To Make Major Impacts In 2022

Campbell is looking to prove himself right – and everyone who's doubted him wrong – in Year 4, while Odeyingbo is ready to take off in Year 2 with his Achilles' injury behind him. Here's what you need to know from Wednesday's media availability at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. 

Colts wide receiver Parris Campbell: "From the outside looking in, people say, 'Oh, he can't stay healthy.' Excuse my language, but to hell with that. I know who I am at the end of the day, I know what type of player I am. I know why I was drafted here, and the (coaching) staff room, they know. They know I've been through a lot, but they know the type of player I am as well. So, just when it all comes together, people on the outside stay on the outside."

Context: Campbell spoke Wednesday about his mentality heading into his fourth year with the Colts after injuries have marred his first three seasons in the NFL. The 2019 second-round pick has played in 15 of a possible 49 regular season games – with one of those the 2021 regular season finale. Campbell played in that game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a plate and screws in his foot, which he broke catching a touchdown in Week 6 against the Houston Texans.

  • Campbell said he's healthy as he goes through the Colts' offseason program, which wraps up Phase 2 this week and moves on to Phase 3 – with OTA practices – next week.
  • Campbell said he's confident he can have a breakout season in 2022 given his history at Ohio State. Campbell didn't emerge in the Buckeyes' offense until his junior year (40 catches, 584 yards, 3 TDs) and then exploded his senior year (90 catches, 1,063 yards, 12 TDs).
  • "When the pressure is high, I know how to perform," Campbell said. "It's all a confidence thing — I got so much confidence in myself. And what better way to prove everybody wrong and prove myself right in Year 4, in my contract year." 

Colts defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo: "I kind of got more comfortable towards the end of the year, but it was definitely a growing process coming into the year with no offseason, no camp and coming in off the injury trying to figure everything out. But towards the end of the year I started to get more comfortable, but definitely through this offseason I've made a lot of progress with my Achilles and just my body in general. So, I'm really excited for this season."

Context: Odeyingbo suffered an Achilles' injury training for the Senior Bowl early in 2021, and didn't make his NFL debut until Week 8. He finished his rookie year with six tackles, one quarterback hit, one-half sack and one forced fumble in 10 games.

  • Even though he got on the field for those 10 games, Odeyingbo never quite felt right: "At a certain point you're healthy enough to play but you don't necessarily feel better," he said. "So you may be able to run around and do everything on it, but the rest of your body is still catching up and kind of getting rid of some of the compensation you made up while you were being injured for however many months."
  • The Colts' belief in the 6-foot-6, 276 pound Odeyingbo hasn't wavered since he was drafted 54th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. "I think we'll see a better version of him this year," general manager Chris Ballard said earlier this offseason.
  • Odeyingbo feels like his playing style fits well with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and defensive line coach Nate Ollie's attack-oriented approach for the Colts' front four. "I definitely feel a lot more comfortable just being healthy all through the offseason, having time to come in and prepare myself and then coming in (with) a new staff, new coach – kind of like a fresh start," Odeyingbo said. "It's been real good. I'm feeling more comfortable this spring."

Highlights from Phase 2 - Day 19 of Colts offseason workouts.

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