As Thursday’s joint session with the Cleveland Browns ended, it marked the final training camp practice for the Indianapolis Colts at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield.
Through three weeks and 16 total practices, there was plenty to take away from the Colts’ 2019 training camp. Some players made the ost of their opportunities and have lined themselves up nicely for the preseason while others will have to kick it up a notch over the next few weeks.
Here are the six biggest takeaways from Colts training camp:
Andrew Luck’s situation complicates things
Normally, the question as to how many quarterbacks the Colts would be keeping would be easy to answer. However, with the lingering calf/ankle injury he’s been dealing with since March, the Colts could be forced to mix things up in the room.
Most notably, this could lead the Indy carrying three quarterbacks on the active roster to begin the season. If Luck isn’t ready to go by Sept. 8—the season opener—one of Chad Kelly or Phillip Walker likely slides in as the third quarterback and backup to Jacoby Brissett.
The Colts still have a week to decide what route they want to go, but it won’t be an easy decision to make if significant progress isn’t made.
WR competition is still open
While there is some clarity in the sense that T.Y. Hilton, Devin Funchess and rookie Parris Campbell all have roster spots locked up, the rest of the room is still up for grabs with several players vying for limited spots.
Likely keeping six wide receivers, the final three spots are being fought for by Chester Rogers, Deon Cain, Zach Pascal, Marcus Johnson and Krishawn Hogan.
Daurice Fountain would have been in the middle of this conversation but suffered a significant injury in the final training camp practice on Thursday.
Denico Autry looking like a Pro Bowler
If there was one player that couldn’t be stopped throughout training camp, it was Autry. As a candidate to replace a player in the 2018 Pro Bowl, that achievement didn’t come to fruition. It certainly could in 2019.
Autry has been wrecking the interior offensive line throughout training camp. His quickness and explosion off the line working from the three technique appears to be ready to give other teams fits on Sunday.
The Colts have been sporting a leaner defensive line by design, and Autry could be one of the big reasons the unit finds success.
Hale Hentges has the best chance among UDFAs
There is a long-running tradition with the Colts in that they have kept an undrafted rookie for 20 consecutive seasons. With the depth strong that it has been in recent memory, that streak could end this year.
However, if there was one rookie playing well enough to earn a final spot it is Hentges. The tight end from Alabama has shown off his strong run blocking skills, and he’s also flashing as a receiver—which has come as a pleasant surprise for offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni.
Hentges will have to force the Colts to keep four tight ends if he wants to make the roster, but he’s certainly earned a spot through training camp.
CB room will be a tough cut
Even if the Colts wind up keeping six cornerbacks, this room won’t be easy to make cuts. There have been flashes from just about every player competing for the limited spots in the room.
It is likely safe to say that Pierre Desir, Kenny Moore, Quincy Wilson and Rock Ya-Sin all have spots locked up. That leaves a number of players including Nate Hairston, Jalen Collins, Marvell Tell and Chris Milton vying for the final two spots.
The preseason games will have a lot to do with the decision, but it hasn’t gotten any easier through training camp.
Rookies shine and stumble
If there is one major takeaway from the rookie class, it is that there is immense promise with this group. Even then, there is still a lot of development that has to take place.
Rock Ya-Sin and Khari Willis flashed—as did Parris Campbell. But many of the rookies dealt with injuries or are still dealing with injuries. The group won’t have to contribute right away, which could be a good thing for their development.
The depth allows the rookies to come along at their own pace, but there is reason to believe this class will eventually have significant roles all over the field.
