Richardson connected with Downs three times against the starting secondary and finished 10-for-14 (71%) during team drills.
WESTFIELD — The Indianapolis Colts receivers conquered the cornerbacks during the third training camp practice at Grand Park Sports Campus Sunday afternoon.
After struggling against the starting defense during Saturday’s practice, the Colts offense made explosive gains on three consecutive plays during 11-on-11 drills on Sunday. Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson escaped instant pressure from rookie Laiatu Latu, who sped past left tackle Bernhard Raimann off the edge. The Colts dual-threat QB dashed left past the first down markers, then found receiver Alec Pierce near the sideline for another first down.
Richardson finished the first-team reps after connecting with receiver Josh Downs, who raced across the middle and took off for a monstrous gain. Downs picked up where he left off by burning his defender on a corner route for what could have been a touchdown on the first rep of the next team session. Indianapolis’ second-year starting slot receiver no longer thinks about what route to run pre-snap, but instead detects what coverage the defense is showing. Richardson connected with Downs three times against the starting secondary and finished 10-for-14 (71%) during team drills.
The Colts receivers handled the cornerbacks during 1-on-1s, making nine catches downfield in the first ten reps. Kenny Moore II stumbled when attempting to cover Downs during 1-on-1s. Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters Downs was “explosive Year One”, but noticed he’s taken his game to another level this off-season.
Colts rookie receiver Adonai Mitchell made perhaps the most spectacular catch of the week against cornerback Dallis Flowers during 1-on-1s. Richardson launched the pass 40 yards down the sideline and Mitchell hauled it in at the 5-yard line and lost his helmet while maintaining possession. The stampede of fans in the grandstands let out a collective roar of cheers after witnessing the first jaw-dropping highlight of the summer.
Mitchell showcased marvelous concentration with the second-team offense when he juggled a catch in traffic 20-yards downfield on a throw lofted by backup QB Joe Flacco. The second-round draft pick shared some first team reps in the first week of training camp and put together his best performance Sunday afternoon.
Training camp notes:
Defensive end Samson Ebukam was carted off the practice field after suffering a calf injury.
The first scuffle of training camp occurred when receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and cornerback Jaylon Jones came to blows and struggled for roughly 30 seconds past a rep during 1-on-1s. The altercation ensured after a flag was thrown against Jones for defensive holding, to which Pittman then retaliated with extra shoving on the sideline.
Dozens of local reporters and camera operators swarmed a golf cart that made a pit stop between the adjoining practice fields during 7-on-7 drills. Colts owner Jim Irsay made his first public appearance of training camp and stayed in his vehicle to speak to the media.
Expect the next week of practice sessions to get even more physical as the Colts hold the first practice wearing pads on Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m.
