Colts Training Camp Roundup: Defense Dominates as QB2 Battle Heats Up Before Foxborough
Today’s practice: Sunday, Aug. 9 — Last Practice Before Foxborough
As the Colts return to practice on the Sunday before Tuesday’s joint practice with the Patriots in New England, injuries are once again all that is on anyone’s mind.
Wide receiver Alec Pierce remains on the physically unable to perform list. With that being said, the injuries that have been lingering seem to have remained: wide receiver Josh Downs (groin), wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (hamstring), running back D.J. Giddens (hamstring), safety/linebacker Hunter Wohler (hamstring), linebacker C.J. Allen (hamstring), and cornerback Justin Walley (hamstring).
However, there were encouraging signs throughout Sunday’s practice.
Josh Downs, Laquon Treadwell, Hunter Wohler and Justin Walley were all seen doing individual workouts off to the side, showing clear signs of progress. Another positive note is defensive tackle Tim Smith officially returning to practice after missing the last several practices.
Head coach Shane Steichen also provided some relief regarding Downs, saying the receiver's groin injury is “not serious.”
That is yet another sign that points to the Colts trying to prevent further injuries by taking proper precautions.
A smart move after watching how the 2025 season unfolded for them.
With the regular season still weeks away, Indianapolis has little reason to force players onto the field before they are ready. The Colts have already shown throughout camp that they are willing to take the cautious route with injuries, and Sunday was another example of that approach.
But while the injury report remains important, today saw numerous quarterback headlines.
And for perhaps the first time this training camp, Daniel Jones had a day where the defense unquestionably got the better of him.
Colts Offense Has It's Worst Day of Camp
Jones started off his day in first-team 11-on-11 making what seemed like a rare error.
Throwing a ball over the middle a little too high, Jones targeted camp breakout receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, resulting in an interception caught by rookie safety A.J. Haulcy, with edge Laiatu Latu applying pressure.
It was an impressive play from Haulcy, who continues to establish himself as one of the Colts' more intriguing young defensive players.
But Jones' bad streak of plays didn't stop there.
In the final first-team 11-on-11 period of the day, Jones forced a ball into the flat that Jonathan Taylor ran, with the pass slipping through Taylor's hands and into safety Cam Bynum's hands.
Two interceptions in one practice is a rare sight for Jones after the level of consistency he has displayed throughout training camp.
Especially considering he threw to passses that were near interceptions in the inal 11-on-11 2 minute drill for the first team of the day.
And Bynum, riding the momentous wave, would soon continue to shut down breakout receiver Ashton Dulin and get a would-be sack on Jones coming hot off the edge.
An impressive day from the Colts' most charismatic and energetic player on the Colts roster.
Exactly what the Colts and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo want out of the star safety.
Bynum's performance was not simply about the interceptions.
He was active throughout the field, aggressive in coverage and consistently involved around the football. For a defense that has spent much of camp trying to challenge Jones and Indianapolis' first-team offense, Sunday provided one of its best opportunities yet to make a statement.
And it did.
What is probably the first-team defense's best day is by far Daniel Jones' and the Colts offense' worst.
As Laiatu Latu and complimentary edge Jaylahn Tuimoloau would get to Jones repeatedly throughout today's camp.
With Deforest Buckner also besting more than three offensive lineman, with Quenton Nelson being one of them.
Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt and linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither also took advantage of the offense's slow day by combining for a sack.
Taylor-Britt saw more action with Walley being sidelined for today's practice.
The defensive front consistently found ways to create pressure, while the secondary capitalized on the mistakes that pressure helped produce.
After Jones spent much of camp looking nearly untouchable, Sunday served as a reminder that even the quarterback who has looked the most impressive can be rattled when the defense executes at a high level.
Leonard Keeps Pushing Richardson
While Jones struggled, the battle behind him became arguably the most competitive it has been all camp.
Anthony Richardson's first stint with the second team would be overshadowed immediately by Riley Leonard's inspiring play.
Leonard, in 7-on-7 play, hit wide receiver Coleman Owen in stride to the far sideline.
Owen continues his noticeably solid camp performance, and his consistency throughout the past several practices has made him one of the younger receivers worth watching as Indianapolis continues to sort through its roster.
Leonard wasn't finished.
Again with the second team, but this time the connection was with receiver Eli Pancol.
Leonard found Pancol for a good chunk of yardage and then connected with him again for a 20-yard touchdown on a nice throw and catch.
For a quarterback competing for the No. 2 job, those are exactly the kinds of plays Leonard needs to continue making.
And just when you think it was a turning of the tides in the backup quarterback competition, Richardson did what he hasn't done all camp.
Respond.
Richardson Finally Answers
Anthony Richardson started the two-minute drill period with the second group in 11-on-11s and immediately gave the Colts something they have been waiting to see.
He found rookie receiver Deon Burks for a big-time play, launching a beautiful ball 30 yards in the air.
It was the kind of explosive play Richardson is capable of creating with his arm and athleticism.
And then the offense followed it up.
The drive eventually led to a 25-yard rushing touchdown by none other than running back Seth McGowan.
For Richardson, the significance was not simply the completion.
It was the response.
After several practices filled with inconsistency, Richardson finally answered a strong stretch from Leonard with a positive sequence of his own.
That is exactly what a player in a make-or-break competition needs to do.
The problem is that one good stretch does not erase the struggles that came before it.
But it does keep the competition alive.
However, anyone with empathy for athletes cannot help but feel bad for Richardson as he tries to find an answer for why he has continued to struggle throughout camp so far.
When Richardson was asked by the media about his performance in training camp by Athletic writer James Boyd, he responded: "I feel like I can improve on a lot of things...It's not my best camp...It's not my worst camp. I'm just trying to keep progressing."
And that may be the most important takeaway from Sunday.
McGowan Continues His Push
McGowan's 25-yard rushing touchdown was another reminder of why he has continued to receive meaningful opportunities throughout camp.
From McGowan once again showcasing that he can be Jonathan Taylor's reliable backup, to Richardson and Leonard providing viewers the most competitive day in the QB2 battle thus far, it proved to be quite the eventful day for the Colts.
McGowan has consistently displayed the physicality, downhill running style and never-say-die attitude that have made him one of the more intriguing players fighting for a roster spot.
With D.J. Giddens still dealing with a hamstring injury, McGowan continues to have opportunities to establish himself.
And he keeps taking them.
Grupe Remains In Charge
Today saw Spencer Shrader take his turn in the kicking competition between himself and Blake Grupe.
After an undenaibly great start by Grupe, today was yet another chance for Shrader to respond.
But unfortunately for Shrader he missed 3 kicks today including 1 50+ yard field goal attempt that hooked left along with his other misses.
Grupe remains firmly in control of the kicking competiton that is sure to see some action in Thursday's preseason game against the Patriots.
Blake Grupe: 27-for-30 attempts made.
Spencer Shrader: 20-for-30 attempts made.
Foxborough Awaits
The Colts' training camp has now reached the point where the next major test is waiting just around the corner.
Indianapolis will travel to Foxborough for a joint practice with the New England Patriots before the teams meet Thursday.
Steichen announced that Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson will receive the quarterback opportunities throughout the game for Indianapolis.
That decision makes the upcoming preseason matchup significantly more important for both players.
The Colts have spent the past several weeks evaluating Leonard and Richardson in controlled training camp situations.
Now they will have the opportunity to do it against another team.
The QB2 battle may finally have its first real opportunity to separate itself.
The Alec Pierce Question
Even if the Colts' training camp has gained national viewers as Alec Pierce remains inactive, if one is to trust Chris Ballard's comments in his presser two weeks ago, then there is reason to believe Pierce will begin his return to team activities in some capacity this coming week.
Whether that means practicing on the side like we saw various players do today or participating fully, the wave of misinformation surrounding Indiana's finest continues to be anything but necessary.
The Colts have been cautious with Pierce throughout camp, and until Indianapolis provides a definitive update, speculation will continue to surround his status.
But that does not negate the fact that the Colts could use some more established depth at receiver.
With Downs now dealing with a groin injury, Pierce still inactive and multiple receivers having already missed time during camp, the need for another proven option becomes increasingly apparent.
And with a perfectly healthy veteran wide receiver by the name of Keenan Allen sitting in free agency with a clear and cut connection to Shane Steichen, it only makes sense for Chris Ballard and company to make a move in that department.
Whether Indianapolis actually chooses to do so remains to be seen.
But the situation is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Final Thoughts
Sunday was a significant day for the Colts.
The defense finally had its moment against Jones.
Bynum was everywhere. Haulcy made a splash. Latu and Tuimoloau repeatedly pressured the quarterback. The secondary held its ground against a passing game that had spent much of camp dominating practices.
And then there was the quarterback competition.
Leonard looked impressive.
Richardson finally responded.
For the first time in several practices, the battle for the No. 2 quarterback position felt less like a competition waiting to happen and more like an actual competition.
Now, the Colts are heading to Foxborough.
Training camp has provided plenty of questions.
New England should provide a few more answers.
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