Training camp is where players make their impressions on the coaching staff and make their case on making the Week 1 roster. For the Indianapolis Colts, they have a number of players with something to prove.
This year’s training camp will be a lot more competitive with how different the offseason has been. No OTAs, no mini or rookie camps, and no preseason leave very little reps for players to make their mark.
>>>Observations from Wednesday’s training camp practice<<<
Here are three Colts with the most to prove as the Colts continue to ramp up work in training camp:
QB Jacob Eason
For the fourth-round pick, many would assume Eason would just have a roster spot, but that isn’t the case. Chris Ballard said during the offseason that Eason and Chad Kelly will be in a battle for the third quarterback spot.
Eason was considered to be possibly a late-first, or early second-round pick, but questions about his work ethic, lack of college experience and no real pro day had him fall in the draft.
Ballard hasn’t shied away from cutting draft picks early. He cut Zach Banner after camp the same offseason he drafted Banner in the fourth round. Eason has to put his best foot forward in the limited snaps he gets in camp to get a roster spot.
WR Daurice Fountain
Last training camp, the hype was around Fountain as he was making plays all camp before getting hurt near the end. Now, Fountain sees himself in a deep camp battle with other receivers to make the roster.
In the first two days that reporters have been out to camp, reports have come out Fountain has been making an impression early on as he is coming back from a devastating ankle injury.
Fountain will be in a battle with Marcus Johnson, Ashton Dulin, and Dezmon Pattmon in camp, as they should be competing for two spots at receiver. With no preseason, Fountain will have to do the most he can at camp to make the team.
DT Tyquan Lewis
For the third-year player, this is his most important camp in his young career. Ballard said it in a presser this offseason that it is a big year for Lewis. Going into camp, Lewis has a lot to prove as he’s in a camp battle for a starting spot on the defensive line.
Lewis for the first two years of his career have dealt with injuries, and somewhat inconsistent play. Now with Indianapolis adding DeForest Buckner in the offseason, Lewis will make a position change to defensive end and look to win the starting job at that spot.
Lewis, Denico Autry, Al Quadin Muhammad, and Ben Banogu are all getting snaps at the defensive end spot in camp. If Lewis can’t make an impact there, he will be working in the defensive tackle spot again, or he might be cut by the end of training camp.
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