As the NFL inches toward an eventual 18-game schedule, there is a major shift in how teams approach their summer preparation, and the Indianapolis Colts are heavily involved in the trend.

More and more, teams are participating in joint practices during training camp, usually coming together with their preseason opponents for one or two practices together leading into their games. Because teams cycle through so many players throughout the games and use stripped-down playcalling, they use the joint practices as a way to put their players into a more controlled environment, with more reps, to get the most out of the experience.

The Colts have leaned heavily into joint practices in recent years, especially since hiring Shane Steichen as head coach in 2023. The Colts hosted the Arizona Cardinals for a pair of practices at Grand Park Sports Campus before their preseason game last year, a week before going to Ohio for a joint practice with the Cincinnati Bengals before their preseason finale. They also got together with the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles the year prior.

This year, the Colts are again going to have joint practices with at least two of their preseason opponents.

Recent reports came out that the Colts would have joint practices in Westfield with the Green Bay Packers leading into their August 16 matchup. Steichen was asked about it on Wednesday and said, “Yeah. Working through it, but yeah.”

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Steichen was then asked if the Packers would be the team’s only joint practice, and he replied, “We’re working through some other stuff.”

Well, while Steichen was speaking, the “other stuff” he mentioned was essentially confirmed by Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh when he told reporters that the Ravens and Colts would have joint practices together before their preseason kickoff in Baltimore on August 7.

For the third consecutive year, the Colts will have joint practices in back-to-back weeks against preseason opponents. However, could they wind up doing it with all three?

As previously mentioned, the Colts joined the Bengals for a joint practice before their game last summer. They do play the Bengals again in Cincinnati to finish the preseason on August 23 at Paycor Stadium. For the first time, might we see the Colts completely fill their training camp with extra competition by going three straight weeks with joint practices before preseason games?

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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Indians are bringing a packed lineup of family-friendly events to Victory Field this week as they continue a seven-game homestand against the Nashville Sounds, Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.

After kicking off the series with a Memorial Day win on Monday that extended their home winning streak to eight games and raised over $8,000 for INvets, the Indians resume play on Wednesday evening with a slate of themed nights through Sunday.

The week starts with Youth Clinic Night on Wednesday, where children 14 and younger can learn baseball and softball fundamentals directly from Indians players and coaches. Gates open at 5 p.m. for the clinic, which precedes a 6:35 p.m. first pitch. Fans can also take advantage of Half-Off Wednesday Night ticket prices, presented by AAA Insurance and Best-One of Indy.

On Thursday, fans are invited to bring their furry friends for Bark in the Park, presented by Pacifico, PetSuites and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Dog tickets are $7, with proceeds supporting local pet charities. The popular Thirsty Thursday promotion also returns, offering $3 Busch Light cans, $3 draft beers and $2 Pepsi fountain drinks. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., with the game beginning at 6:35 p.m.

Friday features Friday Fireworks and Chick-fil-A Night, with postgame fireworks lighting up the skyline following the 7:05 p.m. game. Fans who purchase a Chick-fil-A Family Pack can receive special surprises at the ballpark.

The weekend wraps up with two fan-favorite theme nights: “Star Wars” Night on Saturday, and Sunday Characters on Sunday, which will feature appearances from Peppa and George Pig.

All games will be at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis.