En route back to Foxboro from today's practice — I tended to personal business knowing that Monday's session was in shells and at a lower intensity — here are some things to know about the joint practice with the Colts, and other Patriots thoughts:
• Colts were 8-9 last season after a 7-1 start, and had to turn to ancient Philip Rivers at QB due to injuries.
• Injury update: The Colts continue to be without WR Alec Pierce, who the Patriots might well have paid through the nose for if he hit the market. Pierce reportedly just received his second PRP injection on his left ankle. That's not good. ... Quick slot WR Josh Downs, a favorite target of Drake Maye's at UNC, has been out with a groin injury, but could take part in the joint practice. ... Without those two at receiver, there isn't much firepower at WR for Indy. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, a former Vrabel Titan, is about it, and he's well-traveled. ... The Colts have been without projected starting MLB CJ Allen (hamstring), the team's second-round pick. ... S Hunter Wohler has missed time as well with a hamstring.
• Colts coaches:
Head coach Shane Steichen - On the job since 2023 after doing a great job as the Eagles' offensive coordinator, where he coached A.J. Brown. Jim Bob Cooter manages Steichen's offense. Colts were 8th in points and 9th in yards last year.
Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo: Was a longtime great defensive coordinator for the Bengals until their poor personnel made him the scapegoat. Colts were 21st in points, 23rd in yards last season.
Special teams coordinator Brian Mason: In his fourth season after coming up from the college ranks.
• Key connections:
Patriots LB Chad Muma, who is favored to be the No. 3 backer to start the season, was claimed by the Colts last season after his release from the Jaguars. He was waived by Indy on Nov. 25 and signed to the practice squad. The Patriots signed him to their active roster on Dec. 25.
Colts QB Riley Leonard threw passes to Patriots tight end Eli Raridon on the 2024 Notre Dame squad that faced off against Ohio State in the national championship that season.
Former Vrabel Titans: Colts defensive end Arden Key (also played for Josh McDaniels on the Raiders) and wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
Reggie Wayne is the Colts' WRs coach. He spent a little time with the Patriots in 2015.
• Matchups to watch:
Colts CB Sauce Gardner vs. WR A.J. Brown: Two premier players. Gardner will be different for Brown in that he's longer than Christian Gonzalez.
Colts TE Tyler Warren vs. LB Christian Elliss, S Craig Woodson: This is probably the best matchup on the field with Warren being a matchup nightmare. It will be a stern test for the Patriots' cover guys.
Colts DTs DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart vs. Patriots interior OL: Those are two elite DTs and matchup problems. Will be good to watch Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson and Mike Onwenu handle them.
Colts DEs Laiatu Latu, Michael Clemons vs. LT Will Campbell: Along with Arden Key, Campbell should be more tested against Latu, the 15th overall pick in 2024, and the former Jet Clemons. Both of they are on the taller side, but not hugely long. Anything is better than what the Patriots have been putting out at edge.
Colts LG Quenton Nelson vs. DTs Milton Williams, Christian Barmore: Nelson is still one of the league's best linemen. This is a titanic matchup.
Colts LT Bernhard Raimann vs. DE Dre'Mont Jones: Raimann is one of those tackles I wanted the Patriots to draft in the past. He's pretty good, but he mostly wins on his enormous frame and length at 6-6. Jones hasn's shown a ton in 1-on-1s.
Colts RT Jalen Travis vs. DE Gabe Jacas: Travis, a fourth-round pick in 2025, is huge (6-7, 340) but largely untested. Good matchup for Jacas.
Colts QB Daniel Jones vs. Patriots safety Kevin Byard: Jones has been the talk of Colts camp, especially his mobility eight months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn right Achilles tendon.
• Other Colts notes:
QB Anthony Richardson, the 4th overall pick in 2023, requested a trade in the offseason but is stuck battling for the backup role with Riley Leonard.
The Colts still have top RB Jonathan Taylor running behind a good line, so this will be a good test of the Patriots' run defense. Also, Robert Spillane in pass coverage.
Colts have a very green group at linebacker — the Colts could start two rookie LBs, Bryce Boettcher (5th round) and Allen (injured) — so expect TreVeyon Henderson, Hunter Henry and Eli Raridon to be active in the pass game.
Rookie RB Seth McGowan, a seventh-round pick, has been a standout in camp with his physical running style.
• Patriots thoughts:
Players who could start to make a move with good performances in the joint practice and game:
- OT Caleb Lomu: He went 3-0 in 1-on-1s at left tackle in shells (doesn't count for me unless it's in full pads), but maybe he's starting on an upward trend. Or, he could be in for a rude awakening against better pass rushers than what he's faced.
- TE Eli Raridon: He's shown well to this point, although most of his production has been schemed. Time to go mano a mano.
- LB Khalil Jacobs: The UDFA has been a top 4 guy most of camp, and now he can show what he can do. Will sixth-round pick Namdi Obiazor start to show anything?
- WR Kyle Williams: He'll be one of the more-watched players in the preseason as he looks to improve on an underwhelming rookie season.
- Depth RB: Should be a wide-open competition among Terrell Jennings, Jam Miller Lan Larison, and Myles Montgomery.
- G Andrew Rupcich: Expect a veteran or two to be added in the coming days with Caeden Wallace being released, unless Rupcich can look more solid.
- CB Kindle Vildor: With Charles Woods sidelined, the former Ram has a golden opportunity to lock up a roster spot as a depth corner. Other players are charging hard, including Karon Prunty, Marcellas Dial and UDFA Channing Canada.
- Edge Bradyn Swinson: The cut 2025 draft pick came back in much better shape and is off to a better start, but with Jacas back, his roster spot is far from secure.
Also: The Patriots started most of their starters (save Morgan Moses) in the first preseason game last year after a joint practice with the Commanders. Drake Maye played 14 snaps. Of course, they were installing new schemes. Could be a little different.
