The Indianapolis Colts have been at training camp for less than a week, and they already have seen two injuries - further opening the door to one of the team's battles at cornerback to ramp up even more. One of these injuries is hardly surprising, but the other could give rookie Justin Walley the chance to make a big statement.
Both Juju Brents and Jaylon Jones went down with hamstring injuries, though Jones specifically had to be carted off.
Longest practice of #ColtsCamp just wrapped up.
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) July 29, 2025
Couple injury notes:
WR-Michael Pittman Jr. (groin)
CB-JuJu Brents (hamstring)
CB-Jaylon Jones (hamstring, in pain, carted off)
Quarterbacks with a fairly solid day, but the defense delivered late.
Heading into training camp, it was assumed that three players - Charvarius Ward, Corey Ballentine, and Jones - were locks for their position. Brents, who has constantly battled injuries throughout his career, will hardly surprise anyone by being injured at training camp. Jones, however, is a stalwart who has played in every single one of his 34 games since being drafted in 2023.
Now, Justin Walley has a golden opportunity to show why he should be named a starter, including over Juju Brents. While Brents is technically more established with the Colts, he's had a big problem being able to just stay on the field, let alone play well. For him to be injured now is a huge blow, as well as an opportunity for Walley.
Almost as soon as he was drafted, it was assumed that Walley would fit in well with Lou Anarumo's new scheme. He was known in college for being aggressive and making big plays, and Anarumo said earlier in the offseason that he's looking for consistency in his cornerbacks.
"That competition there is great," he said."But you've got to be consistent. I don't want a lot of ups and downs, especially at that position. I want to know what we're going to get week in and week out."
Jones being injured is a surprise, but when he recovers, he'll be fine. Brents couldn't have gotten hurt (again) at a worse possible time, and meanwhile, Walley can show Anarumo that he's able to be that consistent, aggressive playmaker the Colts need. There's no better chance for him to prove that he deserves a starting position over Brents - and, who knows? Maybe even Jones, too.