The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up their first week of training camp on Saturday, and multiple players rose to the occasion and put up big performances.
Three players in particular stood out as true winners of the week. Now, before you scroll and read about the players, I want to clarify that this does not mean these were the three best players on the field during the first week of training camp. Instead, this highlights three players who used this week to improve their standing or confirm high expectations placed on them ahead of a pivotal training camp.
3 winners from the Colts' first week of training camp
Tyler Warren, TE
It's been pretty much known that Tyler Warren would start for the Colts at TE since he was announced as their selection in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He is the only winner included in this article that I don't view in a battle for a starting spot. His reason for being here is because he has been able to meet the high expectations placed on his shoulders.
Through the first week of camp, Warren has looked the part of a pro, and projections for his rookie season seem to keep increasing with every strong practice he stacks. The Colts have been looking for a game changer at TE for so long, and the early signs in camp suggest they have finally found it in Warren.
Justin Walley, CB
Justin Walley has been able to create significant buzz at every stage of the offseason since being drafted in the third round by the Colts. He made plays in rookie minicamp, and continued that success when veterans joined the mix. Now in training camp, he is already getting snaps with the starters and looks the part.
GM Chris Ballard shared that Walley, along with Jaylon Jones and Juju Brents, are battling to be the team's second starting outside CB opposite of Charvarius Ward. If the winner was decided after the first week, it seems safe to assume Walley would have the job. This is not the case, though, he will need to continue making plays and continue to grab the attention of veterans and his coaches. I think he has what it takes to do it, and a quote from one of his college defensive coordinators comes to mind as a reason why.
"He is so tough, I cannot put into words how tough that kid is. I think that's the thing a lot of Colts fans probably don't know is about how tough he is. Gosh dang it. He is so tough that honestly separates him from everybody nowadays, because it's hard to find this kind of young man that just completely sacrifices their body and puts it on the line day in and day out, and Justin (Walley) is as tough as I've ever been around."
- Minnesota Co-DC Nick Monroe on CB Justin Walley
Anthony Richardson, QB
The biggest and most important position battle during the Colts' training camp is, without a doubt, quarterback. Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones are going toe to toe, trying to prove to the Colts that they are the right guy to lead their offense and be their starting QB in 2025. Every week, as I share winners and losers from the teams' week of practice, I think it's important to highlight which of Richardson and Jones won the week. The winner of week one was Richardson, who simply stood out more.
Let's be clear, though, that neither QB was good enough during the first week, and the team would be in trouble if this is the level of QB that takes the field in week one vs. the Miami Dolphins. Luckily, there's a lot of training camp and preseason football still to come, and neither is close to playing their best football. Richardson was able to shine with multiple impressive throws and, more importantly, showed improved accuracy in the short and intermediate routes. If he can build off that and show he is ready to make the "layup" plays when the team needs him to do so. There's a lot of camp to go, but if you are keeping score at home, right now I have it: Richardson, one week of camp won, Jones, zero.
-1750643200-q80.webp "Red Sox Receive Bad Injury News on Rookie Right-Handed Starter")
