The Indianapolis Colts are six training camp practices in after Friday. Here is where things stand injury-wise for the team currently.
Some good news is that, according to Joel Erickson of the Indy Star, defensive end Titus Leo was back at practice on Friday. Leo was carted off the field during Tuesday’s practice with what Shane Steichen said was a knee injury.
Players who did not practice on Friday, per Erickson, included Dayo Odeyingbo, Jaylon Carlies, Will Mallory, Ameer Speed, and Cameron McGrone.
Raekwon Davis still on the non-football illness list (NFI) and Chris Lammons on the physically unable to perform list (PUP).
Odeyingbo has been sidelined since this past Sunday (July, 28th) with a calf injury. A timetable for his return hasn’t been reported, but media members have seen him on the sideline riding a stationary bike during practice.
Friday’s practice was the second practice that Speed, Carlies, and Mallory have missed. Speed’s injury hasn’t been disclosed, while Carlies is working through a hip injury and Mallory a hamstring, according to Erickson.
Carlies was off to a good start in training camp prior to his injury. As a former college safety, he can bring an added coverage ability to the linebacker position for the Colts and has been seeing some snaps next to Zaire Franklin and EJ Speed as the Will linebacker when in their base 4-3 defense.
“So you’ve seen us evolve to where a little bit like we’re willing to go, hey, let’s take a safety and maybe he hasn’t had a lot of opportunity to use his hands and strike and shed, but we feel like, alright, we can coach that part up,” said Gus Bradley. “That’s JC. He’s a safety that’s playing linebacker, but he’s got really good length and he has that mindset, he just has to develop the skill set.”
Mallory, meanwhile, is one of a number of tight ends competing for playing time this season. As GM Chris Ballard said, the Colts may not have a “superstar” at the position, but he likes the variety of skill sets within that room.
“Mallory we think is going to do some really good things,” said Ballard before camp began.
Offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said that they are spending these early practices putting each of the tight ends in different positions, to see who can potentially wear multiple hats.
Lastly, McGrone’s injury popped up on Friday and what kept him sidelined is not known at this time. He, along with Segu Olubi and Liam Anderson, are competing for the backup Mike linebacker role.
Davis began camp on the NFI list dealing with high blood pressure. Once that is under control he will be back on the field. Lammons started on the PUP list after having offseason ankle surgery. Based on Ballard’s timeline for him, Lammons should be close to returning.
