The Indianapolis Colts are expected to begin training camp on July 28 and while they are hoping to do so without any hiccups, it remains to be seen what kind of changes the team will undergo.
Regardless, once training camp does begin in a few weeks, there will be a number of players falling into the perennial category of having something to prove. Whether it’s coming back from injury, looking to bounce back after a poor season or simply looking to stay on the roster, a lot of players have something to prove in 2020.
Here are five Colts with something to prove at training camp:
WR Parris Campbell
Everyone’s favorite comeback kid. The 22-year-old wide receiver really went through it during his rookie campaign. Four separate injuries, three of which required surgery, forced him to miss crucial time in training camp, the preseason forced him to play in just seven games.
But now, Campbell is fully healthy and looking to regain his role as the slot wide receiver in the offense. He will have a chance to prove himself, too. The Colts are still in love with his skill set in the West Coast offense and he has the type of game that will be valuable to a quarterback like Philip Rivers.
But the Ohio State product has to stay on the field if he wants any shot of carving out the role as the No. 3 wide receiver.
DT Tyquan Lewis
It has been a rough road for Lewis, who enters his third season in the NFL. He’s dealt with injuries and poor performances leading him to now fighting for his roster spot during training camp and the preseason. After the addition of DeForest Buckner this offseason, Lewis is truly on the bubble.
The Colts do still value his versatility, though. They are hoping to keep him on the roster as both an interior asset and a player who can work from the edge. However, Lewis hasn’t made much of an impression since the Colts traded up for him in the second round of the 2018 draft.
This is a big year for Lewis and given the depth the Colts currently have on the front lines, it could be his final in the Circle City.
TE Trey Burton
The Bears were looking to get out of the four-year deal they signed Burton to in 2018 and once they did, the Colts didn’t waste much time bringing in the flex tight end. His rapport with head coach Frank Reich goes all the way back to the Philly Special that helped win the Eagles the Super Bowl in 2017.
While Burton is a seemingly solid fit for the offense, he’s still out to prove that he deserves a highlighted role in the passing game. With Jack Doyle returning as the unquestioned leader in the tight end room, Burton will be fighting with Mo Alie-Cox for the TE2 role in the offense.
After his big deal with the Bears flopped, Burton is looking for a second chance to prove himself in Indy.
DE Gerri Green
Green isn’t a household name by any means and he’s certainly on the roster bubble entering training camp. A sixth-round pick with the Colts in 2019, Green spent most of his time with the Patriots and on Indy’s practice squad during his rookie campaign.
But now Green will have to prove himself worthy of a roster spot during training camp. The Colts already have three spots locked up in the defensive end room and with Denico Autry and Tyquan Lewis playing versatile roles on the edge as well, there will be limited spots for Green.
The Mississippi State product is a project for the Colts but he needs to flash some upside if he’s going to stick around.
RB Jordan Wilkins
It will be interesting to see what happens with the Colts backfield this season. Not only with the split between Marlon Mack and Jonathan Taylor, but also with how many backs will be kept on the active roster. Because of this Wilkins will have to prove to the Colts that they need to carry four running backs.
What makes this situation intriguing—and difficult for Wilkins—is the fact that the Colts already have three locked in spots in the backfield. But if they also want to keep fullback Roosevelt Nix to aid the rushing attack, there simply might not be enough room for Wilkins.
But he’s a very talented running back. He’s talented enough to prove to the Colts that he’s needed on the roster because if he’s cut, he will quickly find a new home.
