On Tuesday, the Indianapolis Colts started mandatory minicamp but several key players, including Jonathan Taylor, were sidelined with injuries.
The Indianapolis Colts have the entire team in town for their three-day mandatory minicamp, the last portion of the offseason program before the team returns in late July for training camp. Although everyone is in attendance, not everyone is participating, as several key players are sitting out as they work through injuries.
The biggest names that aren’t on the practice field are Jonathan Taylor and Shaquille Leonard. Taylor had an ankle surgery this offseason and Leonard is recovering from his second back surgery within the last year. In addition to those two, Michael Pittman Jr. was also out, and a host of promising young players.
Out here at #Colts veteran minicamp the next three days.
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) June 13, 2023
Back out here today are Alec Pierce, Darius Rush and EJ Speed.
Still out but here: Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr., Jelani Woods, Drew Ogletree, JuJu Brents, Josh Down, Tyquan Lewis. pic.twitter.com/7GyZmFCFhe
Several Colts players dealing with injuries during mandatory minicamp
By all accounts, no player is working through anything that should lead to them missing time in the regular season— if everything goes according to plan. Taylor has already said that he should be ready by the season, and aside from Drew Ogletree who tore his ACL in last year’s training camp, most of the younger players’ injuries are minor. Since it is just mandatory minicamp, the team is likely being cautious and trying it’s best to make sure everyone can arrive to training camp at 100%.
The biggest question mark is Shaquille Leonard and his recovery. Leonard’s health has really been a mystery to fans for the last year. As he’s been trying his best to overcome the nerve/back/ankle issue, the only update that fans have been getting is that he’s improving but there still isn’t a timetable. The good news, though, is that Leonard recently posted a video of him doing linebacker drills, so he seems to be somewhat close to a return.
It will be great if everyone can be healthy for training camp, and even better if the team arrives to Week 1 with good health. While expectations for the Colts may not be high in 2023, this is a talented team when healthy. Hopefully the talent will be available and can lead Indy to a better season than last year.