The Indianapolis Colts are halfway through training camp and will begin their preseason slate against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. The matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium will offer the Colts their first live-game action of the 2024 season.
With the Colts only five days away from the preseason opener, the team released their first unofficial depth chart. Let’s examine each side of the ball and note what stands out. Remember, preseason depth charts are very fluid, as many of the position battles are still ongoing.
Note: Starters are in italics. * goes to Active/NFI/Injured players.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) throws a pass while warming up Saturday, July 27, 2024, during the Indianapolis Colts’ training camp at Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield. / Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
QB: Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco, Sam Ehlinger, Kedon Slovis, Jason Bean
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RB: Jonathan Taylor, Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson, Evan Hull, Trent Pennix, Zavier Scott
Z WR: Michael Pittman Jr., Ashton Dulin, D.J. Montgomery, Laquon Treadwell
X WR: Alec Pierce OR Adonai Mitchell, Juwann Winfree, Tyrie Cleveland, Derek Slywka
Slot WR: Josh Downs, Anthony Gould, Ethan Fernea
Y TE: Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Eric Tomlinson
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F TE: Kylen Granson, Jelani Woods, Will Mallory, Jordan Murray
LT: Bernhard Raimann, Blake Freeland, Jake Witt
LG: Quenton Nelson, Danny Pinter OR Tanor Bortolini OR Wesley French
C: Ryan Kelly, Danny Pinter OR Tanor Bortolini OR Wesley French
RG: Will Fries, Josh Sills OR Dalton Tucker
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RT: Braden Smith, Matt Goncalves, Arlington Hambright
There are not many surprises on the Colts offense if you have been paying attention to what is happening in training camp. Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell are listed as co-starters at the X wide receiver spot, as they have split reps with the first-team offense pretty evenly. Kylen Granson and Mo Alie-Cox hold the top spots at tight end, as Drew Ogletree and Jelani Woods have had disappointing camps.
The lone surprise may be Tyler Goodson holding the RB3 spot over Evan Hull. Hull has regularly out-snapped Goodson in 11-on-11 sessions and has looked explosive. The battle for RB3 is tighter than originally thought.
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Indianapolis Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu (97) walks across the field during the first day of the Indianapolis Colts’ training camp Thursday, July 25, 2024, at Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield. / Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
Big End: Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu, Genard Avery, Titus Leo
RCB: JuJu Brents, Dallis Flowers, Ameer Speed, Clay Fields III
NCB: Kenny Moore II, Chris Lammons, Micah Abraham, Michael Tutsie
FS: Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas II, Trevor Denbow, Marcel Dabo
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SS: Julian Blackmon, Ronnie Harrison Jr., Kendell Brooks
While Laiatu Latu and Tyquan Lewis have been splitting first-team reps at LEO since Samson Ebukam went down with a torn Achilles, Lewis is listed as the starter early on. Latu has been the more productive of the two in practice, notching a would-be sack nearly every practice. It seems only a matter of time before Latu is listed as a starter.
Jaylon Jones has not relinquished the starting cornerback spot to Dallis Flowers this summer, with Jones taking almost all the first-team reps. Nick Cross has slowly taken more and more of the first-team reps at safety in camp and is the leader in the clubhouse for a starting role if the Colts do not make a move. Jones and Cross must continue to improve and make plays so the Colts feel comfortable at those spots heading into the season.
While Segun Olubi is listed as the starter at SAM, E.J. Speed has been the SAM when the Colts are in their base 4-3 defense. Jaylon Carlies (when healthy) has been playing the WILL in base defense and coming out when the Colts go to nickel or dime. Speed returns to WILL in the Colts’ sub-packages.
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Cameron McGrone (59) chases cornerback Dallis Flowers (21) during the Colts’ training camp Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield. / Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
K: Matt Gay
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P: Rigoberto Sanchez
LS: Luke Rhodes
H: Rigoberto Sanchez
KR: Dallis Flowers, Anthony Gould, Josh Downs
PR: Josh Downs, Anthony Gould, Dallis Flowers
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There are no real surprises on special teams. While Flowers and Josh Downs hold the return positions, Anthony Gould has been explosive and is a former All-American punt returner. Gould could be the starter at punt returner before the end of the preseason.
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INDIANAPOLIS (Triple A, 6-14) thumped Omaha (Royals), 11-3. 1B Rafael Flores Jr. (.206) went 2 for 3 with a double, his first home run, two runs scored and three RBIs. LF Tyler Callihan (.239) went 3 for 4 with a double and his first homer, a two-run shot. DH Enmanuel Valdez (.273) went 2 for 4 with his first homer and three runs scored. RF Esmerlyn Valdez (.258) went 2 for 5 with two doubles and a run scored. SS Davis Wendzel (.269) went 1 for 3 with a double, two walks, two runs scored and two RBIs. RHP Carson Fulmer (2-0, 5.51) started, gave up three runs on three hits in five innings and earned the win. RHP Chris Devenski (1.50) and LHP Joe La Sorsa (3.24) each pitched two scoreless innings.
Next: Sunday at Omaha (Royals), 3:05 p.m.
ALTOONA (Double-A, 2-12) had two hits – both solo home runs – and beat Portland (Red Sox), 2-0. LHP Dominic Perachi (1-0, 1.80) started and went six innings, allowing three hits and two walks with three strikeouts. RHP Landon Tomkins (3.38) followed with two scoreless. RHP Jaycob Deese (3.00) worked the ninth for his first save. LF Titus Dumitru (.146) went 1 for 3 with his second homer. C Shawn Ross (.182) went 1 for 3 with his second homer.
Next: Sunday vs. Portland (Red Sox), 1 p.m.
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GREENSBORO (High-A, 10-4) lost 8-3 to Brooklyn (Mets). C Easton Carmichael (.273) went 2 for 4 with an RBI. RF Shalin Polanco (.250) went 1 for 3 with a stolen base and an RBI. 1B Jared Jones (.277) went 2 for 5 with a run scored. RHP Carlson Reed (0-1, 7.36) started, recorded one out and gave up four runs on two hits and four walks. RHP Jose Garces (3.60) pitched two scoreless innings.
Next: Sunday at Brooklyn (Mets), 2 p.m.
BRADENTON (Low-A, 5-9) allowed seven stolen bases in its 6-5 loss to Tampa (Yankees). CF Edward Florentino, starting a rehab assignment as he recovers from an ankle injury, went 1 for 3 with a walk, double and run scored. LHP Reinold Navarro (6.43) started and gave up three hits, four walks and two earned runs over three innings while striking out five. SS/1B Eddie Rynders (.128) went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. DH Edgleen Perez (.238) went 1 for 4 and drove in two runs. LF/CF Josh Tate (.208) went 2 for 5 with an RBI. 2B/SS Antonio Pimentel (.154) went 2 for 4 with a double. RHP Greiber Mendez (5.40) and RHP Noah Murdock (0-1, 9.00), who took the loss, each gave up two hits and one run in one inning. RHP Treyson Peters pitched the final three innings, allowing five hits, one earned run and one walk while striking out two.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — It was another busy week in high school sports in central Indiana and ‘The Zone Extra’ has it all covered.
Athlete of the week and Guerin Catholic senior outfielder Ian Taylor is off to a scorching hot start to the young season. Check out his interview as well as Guerin Catholic head coach Dave Schrage talk about Taylor’s success.
The Johnson County baseball tournament came to a close. See highlights from Center Grove’s tournament victory.
The 4A baseball coaches poll was released as well as the 3A softball coaches poll.
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The former Columbus North gymnastics coach, John Hinds, passed away at 88 years old.
Center Grove head softball coach Alyssa Coleman joins the show for a coaches corner conversation.
See highlights from the Colts Local Pro Day, featuring several former Hoosiers and Purdue’s Devin Mockobee.
Girls lacrosse is in the first season as an IHSAA emerging sport.
All of that, and more, can be found in the full The Zone Extra show above.
(WISH) — A tornado watch was issued until 3 a.m. EDT Saturday for counties northwest and west of Indianapolis, and into Illinois.
Indiana counties in the watch area are Boone, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Elkhart, Fountain, Fulton, Howard, Kosciusko, La Porte, Marshall, Miami, Montgomery, Parke, Pulaski, Putnam, St. Joseph, Starke, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Vigo, Wabash, Warren and White. The watch area includes the cities of Crawfordsville, Elkhart, Lafayette, Lebanon, South Bend, Terre Haute, and West Lafayette.
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has issued two watches in Indiana. The other one until midnight EDT Friday includes the Indiana counties of Benton, Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter. That includes the city of Gary. That watch also extends into Illinois.
Storms on Friday night in central Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Minnesota led to dozens of confirmed tornado warnings. The storms in central Illinois has gusts up to 80 mph, and tornadoes embedded in heavy rain.
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An alert issued after 10:30 p.m. Friday from the National Weather Service at Indianapolis said, “A line of strong thunderstorms is nearing the state line with a history of widespread damaging winds and tornadoes. The line is expected to continue to produce damaging winds as it moves into Indiana with the potential for additional tornadoes. The line is then expected to gradually weaken as it moves further into the state.”
