Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones participated in 7-on-7s during OTA practice on Monday, signaling a significant step in his Achilles rehab.
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts got in another hour-plus practice in front of the media on Monday, signaling their final open practice of OTAs before their three-day mandatory minicamp next week from Tuesday through Thursday.
On Monday, quarterback Daniel Jones' participation level was upgraded as the veteran quarterback continues his recovery from December Achilles surgery.
Here's how the practice went, as well as some key quotes from afterward.
TEAM
— The following players continue to sit out while nursing injuries or are preparing for the season away from the team for the time being during this voluntary period: safety Austin Brown, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (neck), cornerback Sauce Gardner, wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle), running back Jonathan Taylor, cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, offensive tackle Jalen Travis (back), and cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr.
OFFENSE
— The focus of team drills was the red zone.
— Jones escalated his participation level from last week, when he only did individual/positional work. On Monday, he participated in 7-on-7s. He went 5-of-6, with a pair of completions to Josh Downs, a productive corner route connection to Tyler Warren, who had a defender draped on him, and two short touchdown throws to Ashton Dulin from about five yards out. Jones' only miss was a high throw to Dulin in the back of the end zone.
— Anthony Richardson Sr. and Riley Leonard continued to share first and second-team reps, with Richardson getting the initial first-team work as he did when the media watched last week. After practice, head coach Shane Steichen said there was nothing to it, and they alternate each day. Both players went 2-for-3 in 11-on-11s; Richardson with completions to Mo Alie-Cox and Downs, and Leonard with completions to Eli Pancol and Drew Ogletree. Neither Richardson nor Leonard had any touchdowns, and Richardson threw an interception. It appeared he and tight end Will Mallory had a miscommunication, and cornerback Jaylon Jones was there to pick the ball off while on his knees, right in front of the goal line.
— With Taylor away from the team, young running back DJ Giddens and Seth McGowan both continued to impress. Each had a breakaway run for the second consecutive week. Giddens' was a good display of his speed as he raced to the outside left. McGowan's run showed a bit more violence and occurred off-tackle on the right side.
— In the race for WR3, while Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Laquon Treadwell, and Deion Burks do get some reps, Dulin seems like the comfortable favorite to earn that role. He gets the most reps and most targets of the competitors. Regardless of who's the starter, each receiver on the regular-season roster is likely to carry some offensive role.
DEFENSE
— Things appear to be pretty evenly split at strong safety between Hunter Wohler and A.J. Haulcy. There doesn't appear to be a front runner at this time.
— While it's still quite early, and there is a rotation, it appears that Arden Key has received the initial first-team reps at defensive end opposite Laiatu Latu, with Jaylahn Tuimoloau coming on afterward.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
— Steichen on Jones seeing action in 7-on-7s: "Yeah, I think it's just making those strides each and every week and to get him out there in seven-on-seven was huge, and to get him in the fold, running plays with the guys. So, we'll keep that trend going probably through the end of OTAs, and then obviously get them into team stuff when we get to training camp."
— Steichen on Jones not doing 11-on-11s until training camp: "No, we're going to keep him out of team for obviously this week and next week. And then like I said, when training camp starts, we'll get him back in there... We always want to be smart. I mean, it's spring. We don't play for a while. So, we’ve got to be smart with his injury, but he's making great progress."
— Steichen on what he's seeing from second-year cornerback Justin Walley, as he returns from an ACL injury and moves inside to slot cornerback: "He's flying around, he's making plays. Obviously, going into Year Two, obviously had the year off, but still in meetings last year and locked in and loaded and learning the defense, but obviously when the pads come on, it'll be a little different, but he's done some really good things so far."
