Colts Training Camp Roundup: Full Pads Bring Out Competition, Rookie Standouts

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Today’s practice: Monday, Aug. 3 — First day in full pads

If there was one day on the Colts’ training camp schedule that was destined to bring more intensity, it was Monday.

Indianapolis put on the full pads for the first time this summer, giving players their first opportunity to compete with an added level of physicality. While training camp remains a controlled environment, the first padded practice provides a much better glimpse at how players respond when the intensity begins to rise.

And there was plenty to watch.

First and foremost, head coach Shane Steichen returned to practice Monday after missing Saturday’s session due to a personal matter. While the specifics surrounding his absence remain private, his return was undoubtedly a positive development for the Colts and their coaching staff as Indianapolis continues through its first week of camp.

The Colts also made a roster move Monday, waiving injured cornerback Cameron Mitchell and signing rookie free-agent cornerback Mekhi Rodgers.

Indianapolis already has considerable depth at cornerback, but the team has continued to emphasize competition throughout camp. Adding another young defensive back gives the Colts another player to evaluate as roster battles begin to take shape.

On the injury front, linebacker Hunter Wohler suffered a hamstring aggravation that kept him out of practice. The injury is worth monitoring, particularly because Wohler dealt with a similar issue around this point last year.

Newly signed defensive tackle Derrick Nadi is also dealing with a toe injury, while there remains no specific timetable for the return of wide receiver Alec Pierce.

With the first padded practice underway, however, the biggest attention remained on the players who were able to participate.

Gardner Continues to Make His Presence Felt

Daniel Jones continued to build on his strong start to training camp Monday, although one of his early attempts to find wide receiver Ashton Dulin ended with a familiar defensive presence getting involved.

Jones repeatedly looked toward Dulin on a play-action concept, but cornerback Sauce Gardner was not about to make the completion easy.

Gardner continues to play at the extremely high level he has established for himself throughout camp, and his ability to stay disciplined while aggressively contesting receivers has to be an encouraging sign for defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.

Jones eventually got his moment.

Two plays later, he connected with Dulin on a dart over the middle on a slant route from under center.

The sequence was a good example of what makes training camp valuable. Quarterbacks and receivers are able to test one another repeatedly, while defensive backs like Gardner have the opportunity to challenge every route and force the offense to find different ways to win.

Grupe Continues to Separate Himself

The kicking competition also took another interesting turn Monday.

Blake Grupe remained perfect during training camp, going 5-for-5 on field-goal attempts.

His successful kicks came from 25, 33, 39, 45, 51 and 57 yards, with Grupe continuing to demonstrate consistency from multiple distances.

At this point, it is difficult not to view Grupe as the kicker gaining the upper hand in the competition against Spencer Shrader.

However, Steichen made it clear after practice that the competition is far from over.

The Colts plan to rotate Grupe and Shrader on a day-by-day basis, meaning Monday was simply Grupe’s opportunity to take the majority of the reps.

Still, remaining perfect through the opening portion of camp certainly does not hurt Grupe’s case.

Richardson Gets An Opportunity To Respond

Unlike Saturday, Anthony Richardson practiced with the second-team offense first Monday.

Richardson made the most of his opportunity during the 7-on-7 period, connecting with receiver Coleman Owen in stride for an impressive completion.

The play was another positive moment for Richardson, who has continued to show flashes throughout camp despite working through a different practice schedule than the other quarterbacks.

Richardson continued to play well throughout his time with the second team, providing another reminder of the talent that made him such an intriguing prospect when Indianapolis selected him.

Meanwhile, Riley Leonard received his opportunity later today with the second group and delivered one of his own.

Leonard connected with tight end Will Mallory over the middle on a well-placed throw, continuing what has become an increasingly interesting competition behind Jones.

Offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said last week that the backup quarterback competition was close, and the performances from Richardson and Leonard continue to support that assessment.

Neither player appears willing to simply give the other the job.

Young Defenders Continue To Get First-Team Reps

Monday also provided an encouraging opportunity for several of the Colts’ young defensive players.

Linebackers C.J. Allen and Bryce Boettcher, along with safety A.J. Haulcy, all received first-team defensive reps during the second 11-on-11 period of the day.

That is significant this early in camp.

First-team reps are not necessarily an indication that a player has won a starting job, but they do provide insight into which young players the coaching staff wants to see against the best competition.

For Allen, Boettcher and Haulcy, getting those opportunities is another sign that the Colts appear to be taking notice of their development.

Haulcy, in particular, has continued to make his presence felt throughout camp.

Colts Experiment With Punt Returners

Another competition developing behind the scenes is the battle for the Colts’ punt-return duties.

Indianapolis experimented with rookie wide receiver Deion Burks, Anthony Gould and Josh Downs as returners Monday, with Burks receiving the most opportunities.

The development is worth watching as the Colts attempt to determine who can provide the most reliable option in the return game.

Interestingly, Ashton Dulin was also present with the group but did not receive a punt-return rep.

That could mean absolutely nothing, but it is another small detail worth monitoring as Indianapolis continues to figure out how its receiving corps will ultimately shake out.

Dulin has already shown enough during camp to warrant attention, and with several receivers competing for meaningful roles, an expanded role for him could become an intriguing storyline.

Buckner Wants to Get Back

After practice, veteran defensive lineman DeForest Buckner addressed the media and discussed his recovery.

Buckner said he would like to get some reps alongside the team during Tuesday’s practice, while also acknowledging that Monday was only the first day of full pads.

There was no indication that Buckner intends to rush his return.

That patience is important for a veteran player who understands that training camp is a long process. Getting healthy for the regular season matters far more than winning a rep in the first week of August.

Buckner also expressed significant optimism about what the 2026 Colts defense can become.

In particular, he praised the team’s rookie defensive players and their approach to learning the system.

“From day one they have been coachable,” Buckner said. “Every day they come to work.”

That kind of endorsement from one of the veterans and leaders of the defense should be encouraging for Indianapolis.

Steichen on the Competitions

Steichen also met with the media following practice and provided insight into several of the team’s ongoing competitions.

The Colts coach said it was great to finally have everyone in full pads and believed the offense and defense were relatively even throughout the practice.

That balance is something Steichen wants to see.

With the team still early in camp, neither side needs to dominate every practice. Instead, the competition between the offense and defense gives the coaching staff an opportunity to identify what is working and what needs improvement.

Steichen also discussed the backup running back competition between D.J. Giddens and Seth McGowan.

With full pads finally on, the Colts can get a better look at how both players handle physical contact.

Steichen specifically praised McGowan’s physicality, comparing his downhill running style to that of former Colts running back Zack Moss.

McGowan’s ability to run downhill and create physical plays could give him an advantage in certain situations, but Steichen made it clear that Indianapolis intends to give both backs plenty of opportunities.

The Colts want Giddens and McGowan to receive as many reps as possible, including opportunities to catch passes in multiple team scenarios.

That could be especially important as the team evaluates which back can provide the most complete skill set behind Jonathan Taylor.

Steichen was also asked about the ongoing competition among the wide receivers.

His answer was overwhelmingly positive.

According to Steichen, the receivers have embraced a “not me” mentality, meaning the players are rooting for one another rather than allowing the competition to create unnecessary tension.

That type of mentality can be extremely valuable for a position group where only a handful of players are ultimately going to receive significant playing time.

Finally, Steichen spoke highly of the Colts’ tight end room, specifically pointing toward rookie Tyler Warren and the versatility he brings to the offense.

Warren’s ability to line up in different spots gives Indianapolis another way to create mismatches and move players around the formation.

Steichen also praised Jones, saying the quarterback continues to do the right things and continues to improve, particularly in his ability to consistently find his targets.

The Takeaway

Monday’s first padded practice offered the Colts another opportunity to separate players from the pack.

Jones continues to build momentum at quarterback, while Richardson and Leonard remain locked in an increasingly interesting battle behind him. Grupe continues to perform well in the kicking competition, young defenders are earning first-team opportunities, and the Colts are beginning to experiment with their return-game options.

Meanwhile, veterans such as Buckner and Nelson continue to provide leadership as Indianapolis evaluates a roster filled with young talent.

The most important part of Monday may simply have been seeing the Colts finally put on the pads.

The intensity will only increase from here.

And as the physicality of training camp continues to rise, so too will the importance of every rep.

Look to cornerback Justin Walley and receiver Josh Downs for the best example.

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