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Colts Camp Takeaways ...... Daniel Jones Already Looks Like Old Self, Even if He Isn’t Yet
(By James Boyd)
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/747...amp-takeaways/
WESTFIELD, Ind. — Daniel Jones dropped back to pass, and surveyed the field. The Indianapolis Colts quarterback wanted to throw the football as he rolled to his right, but with his receivers covered, he just kept rolling ...... and running.
Jones took off past the line of scrimmage, gained a 1st down, stepped out of bounds, and nonchalantly tossed the ball to a nearby Colts staffer before jogging back to the huddle. The play wasn’t the highlight of Wednesday’s practice, the Colts’ first to open training camp, but it was a milestone. Jones ruptured his right Achilles tendon last December, and the QB wasn’t permitted to scramble during spring practice as he worked his way back to full-strength ...... Now, more than 7 months removed from surgery, he no longer has any restrictions.
“I was wondering if (coach Shane Steichen) was going to say something to me afterwards (about the run.) He didn’t,” Jones said through a wry smile. “But that’s stuff that I’ve done a lot. You build it into your drill work, into your rehab and all that stuff that I’ve been doing. So, I felt good doing it, and it’s good to be able to do it in a more football setting.”
Jones said that he’d already been cleared for most football activities in the spring, but the Colts didn’t want to push him. They only allowed Jones to participate in 7-on-7 drills, and scrambling was forbidden. But on Wednesday, Jones advanced to taking every rep with the 1st-team offense and looked as if he’d never been injured.
In addition to his first-down scramble, Jones finished 4-of-8 passing in 11-on-11 work with a pair of completions to 2nd-year tight end Tyler Warren. On one of his throws to Warren, Jones layered the ball perfectly over the middle of the field for about a 20-yard gain. There were, however, signs of rust ...... while trying to fit a pass into wide receiver Laquon Treadwell near the right sideline, Jones was nearly picked off by veteran cornerback Charvarius Ward.
Despite the miscues, Steichen praised Jones for his remarkable recovery, a sentiment several of Jones’ teammates echoed. None have been shocked by his progress because they’ve witnessed his meticulous and often obsessive dedication to his rehabilitation.
“It means a lot to our group and our guys in that locker room,” Steichen said. “To see the work that he’s put in to be where he’s at right now, doing full-team reps (almost) 8 months post-op, it’s a credit to him and the work that he’s put in to be out here to start training camp.”
Jones said that he’s still rounding into form, but he wouldn’t characterize the next steps in his recovery as “boxes to check.” He explained that he just needs to continue gaining confidence in all the movements that are usually second-nature.
The QB acknowledged that the best way to test himself is with live reps, but the jury is still out on whether he will play in the pre-season ...... for now, he’ll gladly settle for being a full participant in practice once again.
“It definitely was a goal of mine to be back for the first day of training camp, so there’s some satisfaction in being back for the first day,” Jones said. “But it’s still a process. There’s still a lot of work to be done personally ...… and then as a team. We’re just starting out.”
Backup QB's
Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson split the back-up QB reps Wednesday, as they did in the spring. Richardson was first up in 11-on-11 drills and completed 4 of his 5 passes, including a play-action pass to tight end Drew Ogletree that went for a 1st down. Leonard finished 2-of-4 passing with his biggest play coming on an intermediate pass to tight end Sean McKeon. Leonard was also picked off in 7-on-7 by safety Trey Washington ...... the only INT of the day for all m3 quarterbacks (Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard, and Anthony Richardson.)
“I’m really pleased with where Anthony is at coming off of the eye injury in the spring, and then going into training camp,” Steichen said. “Riley, too, is making good strides. Those guys will rotate ...... those guys will compete, and I’m looking forward to the competition.”
Richardson has not rescinded his off-season trade request. However, Colts GM Chris Ballard said on Tuesday that the team has no intention of “giving him away”, and commended Richardson for his professionalism amid an uncertain future.
Jonathan Taylor's Contract
Jonathan Taylor wants a new contract, but instead of holding in to start training camp, the Colts’ star running back was a full participant on Wednesday as he enters the final year of a 3-year, $42 Million deal. The last time that Taylor advocated for a new contract, he got into a heated back-and-forth with the Colts amid negotiations ...... it does not appear that he’ll embark on a similar stand-off this time.
“There have been some good conversations, but I have faith between my agent and the front office,” Taylor said "…... I’ve already said that I would love to be a Colt for life. So, I have faith that things are moving in the right direction.”
Taylor totaled 323 carries for 1,585 yards rushing last season, the 2nd-most in his career ...... he also led the NFL with 20 total TD's.
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