INDIANAPOLIS –The Colts worked for about 90 minutes on Sunday, practicing less than 24 hours after their full-padded practice on Saturday night.
Several players sat out Sunday's practice, including a handful of expected starters for the 2017 campaign.
What were the takeaways from the Colts' seventh practice of the 2017 Training Camp?
PRACTICE TAKEAWAYS
- Injuries along the defensive line and at wide receiver opened up the opportunity for some new guys to receive first-team reps on Sunday. Guys like WR-Bug Howard and DL-Josh Boyd saw occasional starting work.
The day was filled with constant rotation to both units. The offensive line and secondary had a plethora of mixing and matching. On the O-line, Jeremy Vujnovich played a lot of left guard with Joe Haeg sidelined.
- Malik Hooker's first interception in an NFL practice will be one of his easiest ones. Rookie QB-Phillip Walker overthrew his potential target and there was Hooker waiting for the basket catch.
After Sunday's practice, Chuck Pagano spoke very highly of Hooker. Pagano said Hooker is further along than the staff could have hoped after just one week of practice. Is Week Two of camp when we see Hooker take consistent starting reps?
- Kudos to CB-Rashaan Melvin. Yes, T.Y. Hilton did get the best of Melvin on a red-zone route on Sunday. But the veteran corner continues to hold down the No. 2 corner spot.
Rookie Quincy Wilson is developing nicely, but Melvin is still a starter. With Darius Butler's permanent switch to safety, second-year Colt Darryl Morris is the team's starting nickel cornerback.
OTHER PRACTICE MUSINGS
- With the injuries at receiver on Sunday, it offered a reminder that T.Y. Hilton is pretty good at football. He's also durable. The smaller Hilton has missed just two games in his five-year career.
- Third-round pick Tarell Basham remains a bit of a mystery to see just what his rookie role will be for the Colts. The same thing could be said for the entire depth at outside linebacker, behind Jabaal Sheard and John Simon.
- Fifth-rounder Nate Hairston even saw a rep across from Hilton on Sunday. Will Hairston be more of a special teams guy in his rookie season?
- Sunday's practice gear was shorts and helmets for the Colts. After Monday's off day, the team is expected to be in full pads on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, the latter two days being the joint practices with the Lions.
- For the first time in Training Camp, the Colts practiced in their indoor facility. With rain in the area on Sunday, the Colts took advantage of a home perk.
- NFL super-agent Drew Rosenhaus was in attendance for Sunday's practice.
INJURY REPORT
The following players did not participate in Sunday's practice: S-Clayton Geathers (neck), DE-Kendall Langford (knee), QB-Andrew Luck (shoulder) and OL-Brian Schwenke (right leg). All four of those guys are on the physically unable to perform list. Other guys that missed Sunday's practice include: WR-Harvey Binford, OG-Joe Haeg, WR-Donte Moncrief, RB-Josh Ferguson, OLB-Deiontrez Mount, DT-Johnathan Hankins, WR-Tevaun Smith, TE-Mo Alie-Cox, WR-Jacoby Brissett. New ILB-Jon Bostic appeared to get banged up late in practice and did not return. Also, rookie wideout Bug Howard went down on the final play of practice. Athletic trainers attended to Howard for a few minutes before the tall receiver got back on his feet.**
PAGANO QUOTEWORTHY**
Chuck Pagano on the early development for rookie safety Malik Hooker:
"He's doing a really good job. I think he's probably further ahead than I thought he would be by missing all that. He's come out, and you'd expect alignment errors, mental, communication, check in coverages because they've got a lot of work to do, the safeties do. They have to understand you get a bunch of formations, you get different sets, you got shifts, you got motions, all those kind of things. And he paid attention. He absorbed a ton, so he came out here – you're starting to see – made a big play today, I think his first interception in camp and since he's been out here. So we're hoping we can keep ramping up his reps and his pitch count. We have to be smart not to go overboard with it, but he's a bright guy, quick learner, quick study. Obviously he's an athletic guy with tremendous range and ball skills."
PLAYER QUOTE OF THE DAY
Outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard on how helpful Robert Mathis has been:
"Yes, definitely. I mean, being around a GOAT like that, somebody that's been around the game and who's led the team in sacks, led the league in sacks. Any time you get a chance to work with him one-on-one you want to."
TWEET OF THE DAY
CAMP SCHEDULE (all practices closed to the public, besides Saturday, August 5 at Warren Central High School)
Monday, August 7
Players' Day Off
Tuesday, August 8
8:00-10:45 a.m. – Practice
Wednesday, August 9
8:00-10:45 a.m. – Practice
Thursday, August 10 – Joint practice with Detroit Lions (full pads)
9:30-11:40 a.m. – Practice
Friday, August 11 – Joint practice with Detroit Lions (full pads)
9:30-11:40 a.m. – Practice
Sunday, August 13
Preseason Game 1 – Indianapolis vs. Detroit – 1:30 p.m.
Monday, August 14
Players' Day Off
Tuesday, August 15
1:45-4:05 p.m. – Practice
Wednesday, August 16
8:00-10:45 a.m. – Practice
Thursday, August 17
8:00-10:45 a.m. – Practice*
The analysis from those producing content on Colts.com does not necessarily represent the thoughts of the Indianapolis Colts organization. Any conjecture, analysis or opinions formed by Colts.com content creators is not based on inside knowledge gained from team officials, players or staff.*
