Colts Training Camp: First weekend in review

The first weekend of training camp is in the books and while not a whole lots happens when the players first return, we will catch you up on the biggest news and stories.

To start with, Malik Hooker was activated from the PUP after being initially placed on the list for a matter of days. He suited up and took the field for his first practice mainly working on drills with the defensive backs and head coach Chuck Pagano. We also learned that he will be on a pitch count to start training camp as a part of his continued rehabilitation from off-season hip surgery and a sports hernia. Expect his workload to increase over the coming days and weeks.

We also learned that undrafted rookie tight end Darrell Daniels did not take the field for practice on Sunday. At this point it is not reported that he was placed on the active-PUP list but his absence might have encouraged the Colts to make the move they made following practice to release fellow undrafted tight end Colin Jeter to claim Henry Krieger-Coble off of waivers from the Denver Broncos. Both Krieger-Coble and Daniels are primarily viewed as receiving tight ends so the move could increase competition for the third tight end spot.

The most interesting roster-related news is that the Colts are shuffling around the offensive line to start training camp. Jack Mewhort was working with the first team offensive line at right guard while Joe Haeg moved over to take his place at left guard. This may just be experimenting and shuffling the players around to get different looks but it is somewhat intriguing as well — it is a move that could make a lot of sense given the particular skill sets of each player and it would spread out the experience to both sides of the line.

Other key positional news is that Jon Bostic and Antonio Morrison started practice at inside linebacker with the first team — Edwin Jackson rotated in with that starting group as well. Chester Rogers saw early action as the team’s third wide receiver. Additionally, Quincy Wilson did get some reps with the first team on defense.

As for key plays and performances from Sunday’s practice. There were a few takeaways but keep in mind that they may not mean a whole lot given that it was the first day.

To start with, the offense looked out of sync for most of practice. In particular, the quarterbacks had a really hard time getting things going with the receivers.

Quarterbacks Scott Tolzien and Stephen Morris both made a couple of plays that garnered some attention, though.

Defensively, the biggest plays were made by Barkevious Mingo, Matthias Farley, and Tevin Mitchel. Mingo got beat over the middle by Chester Rogers but recovered and forced a fumble that was picked up by Lee Hightower. Mitchel picked off Phillip Walker for the first INT of training camp. Farley showed great time and extension to breakup a pass.

In terms of special teams, Vinatieri showed that he still has it and that age is just a number. He connected on kicks of 54 and 60 yards near the end of his kicking drills. Additionally, while there were concerns about Locke not having the leg for kickoffs, it appears that he showed plenty of it on Sunday.

Much of the outcome on Sunday is predictable. It’s not surprising that the quarterbacks and receivers would take some time to get anything going after extended time away from the field. It’s not surprising that injured players will sit out and be put on a pitch count early in training camp. It’s also not surprising that roster shuffling will happen and if yesterday is any indication, it can happen at anytime.

The Colts return to their practice facility at W 56th St today for the second day of practice. We will keep the live stream of key tweets coming for you on the front page and hopefully hear a bit more as the team starts to fall back into a rhythm.