The Colts face a CB crisis as JuJu Brents & Jaylon Jones are injured in camp. See how Indy responded on Aug 1 and why QB Anthony Richardson is shining.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The Indianapolis Colts are feeling the early sting of training camp attrition. As the team's quarterbacks lit up the night sky at Grand Park, the defensive backfield was busy patching holes, signing familiar face Chris Lammons on Friday after injuries sidelined key cornerbacks JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones, creating a major storyline to watch as the preseason approaches.
Head coach Shane Steichen noted that Jaylon Jones' injury is more serious than JuJu Brents'.
The front office moved swiftly on Friday to address a suddenly thin cornerback room. With both JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones sidelined with hamstring issues, the team brought back Chris Lammons, a veteran with prior experience in Indy, for immediate depth. To make room, Corey Ballentine was released. The bigger concern is the severity of the injuries; Coach Shane Steichen confirmed that Jones' hamstring injury is considered more serious than Brents', putting his availability for the start of the season in question.
While the defense deals with depth issues, the offense provided plenty of fireworks during the team's first-ever night practice at Grand Park. Quarterbacks Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones were reportedly sharp, dismantling a shorthanded defense. In a huge positive sign, star receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was a full participant after leaving a previous practice with a groin injury. However, the injury list remains a concern, with key players like LB Zaire Franklin (ankle) and DT DeForest Buckner (foot) still out.
While the on-field drama unfolds, the virtual gridiron offered a familiar bright spot. All-Pro left guard Quenton Nelson was officially revealed as the highest-rated Colts player in Madden NFL 26, a testament to his consistent dominance. While virtual accolades are nice, fans are eager for the real thing to begin. The path is set, with joint practices and a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens kicking things off before the team returns home for the regular season opener against the Miami Dolphins.
With the first preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on the horizon, all eyes will be on the injury report. The Colts need their secondary to get healthy fast, as the impressive offensive flashes from camp won't mean much if the defense can't hold up its end of the bargain. The coming weeks will be crucial for recovery and for players like Chris Lammons to get integrated before the regular season opener against Miami.
