Source: Icon Sportswire / Getty
**INDIANAPOLIS –** Another gorgeous June afternoon greeted the Colts on their second day of mandatory minicamp.
The Colts will have one final practice of the spring on Thursday, an abbreviated session, before closing the book on the offseason program.
Here are the observations from the team’s second minicamp practice:
\-Daniel Jones had another nice day of work as the starting quarterback, highlighted by a two-minute touchdown drive (Michael Pittman Jr.), with the punctuation of a two-point conversion (Josh Downs). The drive saw Jones goes 4-of-6. Before the TD to Pittman Jr., Shane Steichen gave the offense a “have to have it” shout, and Jones anticipated Pittman Jr. sliding into an open window, with an on-target ball for the TD. The two-point conversion to Downs benefitted from extended time in the pocket (no sacks allowed this time of year). Jones was unofficially 7-of-11 on Wednesday, and continued to have strong rhythm with their passing offense.
\-Running the second-team offense, rookie Riley Leonard ended practice on a much stronger note than the level he was at heading into a final two-minute drive. Leonard struggled with his accuracy early on. But he finished 6-of-8 in a two-minute drive touchdown to Anthony Gould. Rookie safety Hunter Wohler got his hands on a two-point attempt, knocking it down for an incompletion. During his rougher patch of practice, Leonard was picked early in practice by linebacker Jacob Phillips in a 7-on-7 session.
\-In 7-on-7 action Wednesday, Josh Downs was once again an active receiver. Rookie Tyler Warren had a nice catch and run down the seam.
\-Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter has been quite the fan of AD Mitchell’s spring work. Cooter singled out the “great attitude” of Mitchell this spring, pointing to the second-year wideout converting the opportunities that have come his way on the practice field. “AD’s been really, really good thus far,” Cooter said on Wednesday. “I’m still betting on AD.” Cooter did mention “consistency” as still the key word for Mitchell. Finding playing time in 2025 isn’t something that will be given to Mithcell though, although the Colts rotate a good amount at wide receiver.
\-For those curious how much of an actual look the Colts are getting at quarterback Desmond Ridder at minicamp, it’s very limited. We are talking some individual drill reps, and a rare team rep. Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said the Colts view Ridder as someone has been respected around the league and “goes about his business” the right way. Remember, if the Colts want to keep Ridder on the roster beyond this week, they will have to sign him to the 90-man roster and make a corresponding roster move.
\-It isn’t often you go an entire spring OTA/minicamp stretch with one position group not having their starters participate, but that’s the case for the Colts linebacker position. Zaire Franklin (ankle surgery) and Jaylon Carlies (shoulder surgery) missed all of the team portion of the spring. That’s not ideal, especially when you are installing a new defense. Lou Anarumo said Colts linebackers coach James Bettcher has had some extra meetings with Franklin and Carlies to try and make up for the lost field time. Despite much curiosity, Colts went the entire spring without signing a proven veteran at linebacker and didn’t spend a draft pick there either.
\-What is defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo looking for in a cornerback? “It’s about steadiness. I want to know what I’m going to get…you have to be consistent at it.” It’ll be interesting to see how the Colts handle that 3rd cornerback spot, with Charvarius Ward and Kenny Moore II being the obvious others. Jaylon Jones is the incumbent, but he has missed a couple weeks in spring. Rookie Justin Walley has shined in spring. And you still have JuJu Brents, who loves the fit in this new defense, with his coordinator pointing for the need of reliability from him. Brents is working back from a groin injury.
\-The Colts have a kicking competition this offseason between Spencer Shrader (undrafted free agent in 2024) and Maddux Trujillo (undrafted free agent in 2025). While the Colts are very high on the potential of Shrader, special teams coordinator Brian Mason stressed this is a true battle. “Spencer certainly has a little bit of a step up in that. He’s already been in the league, already been here, but it is definitely an open competition. That’s how I view it. Both these guys are talented young kickers and we’re going to end up going with whichever guy performs the best under pressure, both in training camp and joint practices.”
\-Players that didn’t appear to be participating in Wednesday’s second minicamp practice: LB-Zaire Franklin (boot on his left leg after ankle surgery earlier this month), LB-Jaylon Carlies (recovering from off-season shoulder surgery), CB-Jaylon Jones, S-Daniel Scott, WR-Blayne Taylor, CB-David Long Jr., DE-Samson Ebukam, TE-Maxmilian Mang, DE-Kwity Paye, OT-Blake Freeland.
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