Colts Training Camp Journal, Day 11: Anthony Richardson's First Day as QB1

The Indianapolis Colts held their 11th training camp practice on Tuesday, and it was the first with rookie Anthony Richardson as the official starting quarterback.

The Indianapolis Colts had their 11th training camp practice on Tuesday but it was officially the beginning of a new era as rookie Anthony Richardson was declared the starting quarterback by head coach Shane Steichen.

It was a surprisingly upbeat day given that the first practices following games are often a bit tame and the Colts host joint practices against the Chicago Bears on Wednesday and Thursday. However, even though Tuesday was without pads, the offense pushed the tempo as the playcalling was all organic and unscripted during team drills.

I was in attendance and now provide my notes from the sidelines.

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TEAM

— The following players missed practice: wide receiver Breshad Perriman (undisclosed), wide receiver Vyncint Smith (undisclosed), running back Zack Moss (arm), linebacker Segun Olubi (head), offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley (undisclosed), offensive tackle Braden Smith (knee), center Ryan Kelly (undisclosed), tight end Jelani Woods (hamstring), tight end Mo Alie-Cox (ankle), tight end Drew Ogletree (undisclosed), defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (foot). Running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) is the last player remaining on the PUP list.

— The following players all returned from injury on Tuesday: Julian Blackmon (hamstring), Kenny Moore II (ankle), Will Mallory (hamstring).

— The 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills focused primarily on red zone, high red zone (35-yard line), and moving the ball from the offense's own 35-yard line. Plays were unscripted and called at the line of scrimmage.

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OFFENSE

— Richardson had an overall solid day on Day 1 as "the guy," going 9-of-12 passing (75.0%) with a touchdown (Alec Pierce). He completed passes to Deon Jackson (3), Josh Downs (2), Michael Pittman Jr., Evan Hull, and Pierce, and Jackson had a dropped screen pass. The touchdown to Pierce came in the red zone as Richardson found Pierce on a post route from about 20 yards out. He tried to find Pierce earlier in the day deep downfield running a post-corner, but the timing appeared to be off and he hung the ball in the air, much too short of Pierce.

— Veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew went 5-of-10 passing (50.0%) with a touchdown (Amari Rodgers) and interception (Kevin Toliver II). Minshew had completions Isaiah McKenzie, Jake Funk, Nick Eubanks, and Rodgers.

— The primary first-unit offense was: Anthony Richardson (QB), Deon Jackson (RB), Michael Pittman Jr. (WR), Alec Pierce (WR), Josh Downs (WR), Kylen Granson (TE), Pharaoh Brown (TE), Bernhard Raimann (LT), Quenton Nelson (LG), Danny Pinter (C), Will Fries (RG), Blake Freeland (RT).

— Was it a coincidence that Downs was injected into the first-team offense on Richardson's first day as QB1? After practice, Steichen said it was part of the rotation between Downs and McKenzie. Regardless, it makes all the sense in the world to throw these two into the starting lineup together and let them grow.

— The second-unit line featured Arlington Hambright (LT), Carter O'Donnell (LG), Wesley French (C), Emil Ekiyor (RG), and Dan Skipper (RT).

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DEFENSE

— The primary first-unit defense was: Samson Ebukam (LEO), McTelvin Agim (3T), Grover Stewart (NT), Kwity Paye (DE), Zaire Franklin (MIKE), Shaquille Leonard (WILL), E.J. Speed (OTTO), Kenny Moore II (NCB), Darrell Baker Jr. (CB), Dallis Flowers (CB), Rodney Thomas II (FS), and Julian Blackmon (SS).

— There was quite a bit of churning on the defensive line, as main rotational players like Dayo Odeyingbo and Tyqun Lewis were moved around while McTelvin Agim, Taven Bryan, Eric Johnson II, and Adetomiwa Adebawore constantly rotated inside. It definitely looks like defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and line coach Nate Ollie are trying to see what they've got there behind the starters.

— With Blackmon and Thomas returning, it appeared as if both were on pitch counts, as Nick Cross continued to get action with the first team.

— It was another solid day of pressure from the defense, as there were a pair of would-be "group" sacks against Richardson and Minshew, and Ebukam got to Richardson for another would-be sack.

— This has been a really productive camp for Agim, who has perhaps earned the third defensive tackle spot. On Tuesday, he came up with a batted pass at the line of scrimmage as Minshew rolled out to look for a receiver.

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SPECIAL TEAMS

— The punt coverage team seems fairly defined by this point. With Rigoberto Sanchez obviously acting as the punter, Kylen Granson, Trevor Denbow, and Hull have been the personal protectors (in order), and Ashton Dulin/Tony Brown and Darrell Baker Jr./Dallis Flowers have been the gunner pairs while McKenzie and Downs have been the primary returners.

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