CINCINNATI — The Indianapolis Colts’ starters will see their most extensive action of the preseason Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals, and there’s ample room for improvement from the offense.
That’s not a reflection of how the Anthony Richardson-led unit played throughout training camp, but a byproduct of Tuesday afternoon’s discombobulated joint work with the Bengals.
Afterward, coach Shane Steichen announced his starters “will play about a quarter and a half, probably give or take’’ in Thursday’s preseason finale at Paycor Stadium.
“I mean, some guys might play less, some guys might play more, but want to get those guys out there and run around.’’
If Tuesday was any indication, the offense needs additional fine-tuning prior to the Sept. 8 opener against Houston.
The Colts’ defense seemed to control Cincinnati’s offense much of the afternoon. Quarterback Joe Burrow completed 14-of-18 passes in 11-on-11 sessions, according to IndyStar, but kept working on shorter routes. He was intercepted twice by cornerback Jaylon Jones and was unable to drive the offense for a touchdown during four separate team drills.
On one play, Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin bore through a gap on a blitz and had a free shot at Burrow, who simply tossed the football into the ground.
The Colts’ offense? On a cool, partly sunny day, it was partly bad.
In fact, it might have been the least efficient of the 13 training camp practices.
Richardson finished 10-of-20 in team drills with one interception and a touchdown to AD Mitchell. The interception was a pass to a heavily-covered Michael Pittman Jr. that went through the wideout’s hands and was secured by linebacker Logan Wilson.
At one point, Richardson was 3-of-10 with the interception, and his frequent scrambles drew derisive comments from Bengals defenders. His throws were erratic, including one in the general area of three receivers that zipped harmlessly to the ground.
The offensive line also had trouble creating running lanes for Jonathan Taylor, who was stuffed for no gain or a loss on several attempts.
As has been the case throughout camp, though, Richardson’s performance improved during up-tempo work.
In a two-minute drive near the end of practice that involved a points-needed situation, he completed two passes to Pittman and another to tight end Kylen Granson before the offense settled for a Matt Gay field goal from approximately 50 yards.
Steichen liked the way things ended.
“The two-minute drive was just trying to get a field goal right there to win it at the end,’’ he said. “The offense did a really good job.’’
Final tune-up
Steichen is following the same blueprint he used in his first season as head coach. After sitting the starters in the second preseason game, they’ll see extensive action in the third and final game.
“After this Thursday night, we’ve got 17 days until we kick off against Houston,’’ he said. “So, this is a big day. Shoot, we’ve got to get the players ready to roll and go out there and play and get that game-line experience before, obviously, week 1.’’
Richardson’s only preseason exposure has been two series and seven plays in the opener against Denver. And remember, a season-ending shoulder injury limited his rookie season to four starts, 173 snaps and 84 pass attempts.
Richardson has started just 17 games since graduating Eastside High School in Gainesville, Fla.
Extended work against the Bengals will “be great,’’ Steichen said. “I think it’ll be really good for him. Any time you can get out there in those game-line situations, it’s good.
“Obviously, you want to be smart with these guys in the preseason because we’ve got a long season ahead of us, but we’re excited to get those guys out there on Thursday.’’
Woods sidelined
Jelani Woods’ comeback season has hit a snag.
The third-year tight end, who missed last season with a pair of hamstring injuries, will be out “for a bit,’’ according to Steichen.
“I don’t have a timetable on it, but he’s going to miss some time.’’
IndyStar’s Joel A. Erickson, citing a source, reported Woods’ injury will require surgery. NFL Network reported Woods suffered turf toe in last Saturday’s game with Arizona.
The injury/surgery most certainly means Woods misses a portion of the start of the season. It could result in the Colts placing him on the injured reserve list when rosters are cut to 53 next Tuesday, and designating Woods as one of two IR players from the preseason who can return during the season.
Rookie offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini also suffered a toe injury against the Cardinals, but his situation isn’t as severe as Woods’.
“I don’t see him missing an extended amount of time,’’ Steichen said, “but he’s going to miss some time.’’
Cornerback JuJu Brents, who suffered a nose injury against Arizona, did not participate in Tuesday’s practice.
Kickers on target
Matt Gay and rookie understudy Spencer Shrader were dead solid perfect Tuesday.
First, Shrader went 5-for-5, nailing kicks from 38, 43, 48, 53 and 58 yards.
Later, Gay matched him.
Finally, Gay, who has converted just 1-of-4 field-goal attempts in two preseason games, capped a two-minute drive with a long field goal.
Flacco on the move
Joe Flacco is known as a classic pocket passer. But the veteran showed off his 39-year old legs against the Bengals’ No. 2 defense.
When Flacco’s protection broke down during one session, he tucked the football and scrambled for 20-30 yards before the referee blew the play dead. As he trotted back to the huddle, Flacco waved his arms and traded barbs with the Cincy sideline.
He then capped the drive with a 5-yard TD run.
During a career that has spanned 16 seasons and 188 games, Flacco has averaged 2.3 yards on 377 carries/scrambles. He has three rushes of at least 30 yards, including a 38-yard TD as a Baltimore Ravens rookie, but his longest run since 2018 is a 13-yarder.
Davis returns
Raekwon Davis stepped on the field, albeit briefly, for his first practice as a Colt. The veteran defensive tackle signed a two-year, $14 million free-agent contract with the team in March, but was placed on the non-football injury list (NFI) at the start of training camp with high blood pressure.
“Feel great, man,’’ Davis said. “Just to be back in this environment with the boys, just to be out here working with them.
“It was a tough one today. Little rusty, but I’m getting there.’’
The high blood pressure was detected when Davis had his pre-camp physical.
“That’s when they saw it, and running tests and ran into that problem,’’ he said. “I mean, it was no big deal, man.’’
Davis credited the Colts’ medical and rehab staff for their handling of the situation.
“(To) catch that type of problem because we’ve been saying so much with high blood pressure, with heart attacks and things like that,’’ he said. “So, it’s a great thing they caught that.
“I mean, it was a hassle just to get back, but I’m back, trying to work my way up, trying to work my way back in shape, stay in the playbook. Just do everything I could.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.
