WESTFIELD, Ind. — Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Daniel Jones sold the play-action before rolling right and looking to find tight end Tyler Warren in rhythm, but with defensive end Laiatu Latu chasing him down quickly, Jones released the pass just behind Warren, which allowed linebacker Austin Ajiake to undercut the throw and race the other way untouched for a pick-six.
The interception was Jones’ first mistake of training camp, but it shows there are no limits on what he’s doing in another rather
efficient practice. Jones continued to operate the electrifying run-pass-option style offense that — prior to his season-ending Achilles injury — went into last year’s Week 14 matchup in Jacksonville leading the NFL averaging 6.3 yards per play and 29.8 points per game.
Jones started hot with a few quick throws underneath before opening it up during 7-on-7 drills. He finished with a clean session while hitting Josh Downs on an out route, followed by a pass over the middle to Ashton Dulin. He also found veteran receiver Laquon Treadwell twice on dig routes and developed a strong connection with Warren, who fetched a handful of targets throughout Thursday’s team periods.
While Jones shows he can still orchestrate the offense, the defense made it just as difficult than it had a day earlier. Ajiake wasn’t the only defender to capitalize on a turnover opportunity. During the 7-on-7 session, quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. sailed a pass intended for rookie receiver Deion Burks. After Burks had to leap to just tip it in the air, it was cornerback Cameron Mitchell who caught it and returned the interception approximately 30 yards for the first defensive score of camp.
Richardson responded in the final team session with perhaps his best throw of the morning. Off play action, he fired a strike 20-plus yards downfield to receiver Anthony Gould, who likely would have absorbed a big hit from rookie safety A.J. Haulcy had the pads been on.
Second-year nickel corner Justin Walley continued his impressive start to camp, showcasing his closing speed with a diving deflection on a deep sideline throw from Jones intended for Downs. Walley missed his entire rookie season after suffering a torn ACL during a joint practice in Baltimore last August, but the former third-round pick has looked comfortable while manning the vacant nickel spot during the opening practices.
The secondary as a whole continues to showcase why the Colts assembled one of the deepest position groups on the roster. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo admitted after practice the organization has invested “a lot of capital” into the secondary, and the early competition has reflected that massive investment.
Hunter Wohler once again worked with the first-team defense at strong safety, while Haulcy, Johnathan Owens and Juanyeh Thomas continued rotating at the position during team drills.
During the final team periods, Anarumo mixed his defensive fronts by deploying a five-man look featuring Latu, Colby Wooden, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Grover Stewart and Jaylahn Tuimoloau, who notably received his first extended work with the starters after veteran Arden Key opened camp in that role to kickoff camp.
Any physical evaluation of the trenches will have to wait until the pads come on next week, but through two practices, Anarumo’s creativity and exotic formations have players scrapping and clawing to earn their spot to man the stampede up front. The Colts host a morning practice on Friday at 10 a.m., then close the first week of training camp with a Saturday afternoon practice at 4 p.m.
