COLTS
(COLTS RELEASE)
WESTFIELD, Ind. – The Colts held their first fully padded practice of training camp on Monday, as Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones each had arguably their best performances since camp started last Wednesday.
Physicality and competition have quickly become the two most prevalent themes of the first five days of training camp, and when the pads come on, those factors are only heightened.
“You just can’t play without the pads being on,” cornerback Kenny Moore II said with a smile.
Moore and the rest of the defense continued to show off their aggressiveness on Monday, thanks to that ability to be a little bit more physical, consistently challenging the Colts offense. Everyone had to increase their level of play to compete, and even though Richardson and Jones wore their red jerseys and didn’t take any hits, they still had to adjust to the pressure. Monday ended up being the best showing both quarterbacks have put on so far.
“They’re not getting hit, but they gotta know,” head coach Shane Steichen said. “Obviously, the rush is going to be a little tighter, but they just gotta be able to move in the pocket, create space, know when to step up, know when to escape. All those things come into play whether we’re in pads or not pads, it’s all part of it.”
“Both of them were solid,” he said. “They’re throwing the ball with accuracy, with rhythm, timing. Had some big plays down the field, so very pleased with both those guys.”
While much of the work during team periods was focused on the run game and short passing plays – as it has been for much of camp so far – both quarterbacks had impressive deep throws. Richardson found tight end Will Mallory along the sideline in a seven-on-seven period, and Jones connected with wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Ashton Dulin downfield in 11-on-11 drills.
Both quarterbacks were also able to consistently find receivers in heavy coverage on short and intermediate throws. Richardson showed his growth in being able to layer passes and find tight windows for his target.
“You got to throw these tight windows in this league, and that accuracy and how to layer the ball and how to know when to throw it and how to throw it is big,” Steichen said. “Obviously, going into year three, the timing, knowing the offense better.”
Steichen confirmed both quarterbacks will continue to evenly split snaps with the first-team offense, and there is still no set timeline for naming a starting quarterback as he wants to “let this thing play out.”
News and Notes from Monday’s practice:
Wide receiver Alec Pierce had a blister on his foot, Steichen said, and did not participate in practice.
Tight end Will Mallory caught a few passes from both Richardson and Jones in various team drills, including a deep contested catch on the sideline from Richardson in seven-on-seven.
Running backs Jonathan Taylor and DJ Giddens showed off their speed and physicality as they burst through the defensive line multiple times in 11-on-11 drills.
Cornerback Jaylon Jones had a strong showing in one-on-one drills, breaking up a pass from Jones intended for Pittman. Jones had four stops on four tries in the one-on-one period.
Cornerback Kenny Moore II broke up two passes intended for wide receiver Josh Downs during one-on-one drills.
Also in a one-on-one period, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell beat out cornerback Charvarius Ward for a deep downfield reception.
Cornerback Justin Walley broke up a pass intended for tight end Tyler Warren in a seven-on-seven period.
Richardson found Mitchell with a dart through heavy coverage in the flat during 11-on-11.
Jones connected with Dulin on back-to-back plays in an 11-on-11 period.
COLTS, LT BERNHARD RAIMANN AGREE TO TERMS ON FOUR-YEAR, $100 MILLION EXTENSION
Be it Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones, the Indianapolis Colts’ starting quarterback will have their blindside protected by a very happy Bernhard Raimann in 2025.
Raimann and the Colts agreed to a four-year, $100 million extension on Monday, NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported.
The annual salary of $25 million over the length of the extension puts Raimann among the top-five highest-paid left tackles in the NFL, tying him with the Washington Commanders’ Laremy Tunsil at fourth.
Raimann is the latest in a recent surge of tackle extensions, following the Los Angeles Chargers’ Rashawn Slater and Green Bay Packers’ Zach Tom most recently.
Entering his fourth NFL season since he was selected 77th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, Raimann has had a rather epic journey to the league already.
An Austian native who once played wide receiver for the Vienna Vikings club team in his home country, Raimann moved to Michigan and played his college ball at Central Michigan. He became an Indy starter as a rookie in 2022 and has been a mainstay for the Colts ever since.
In 2022, Raimann earned a 73.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus and has improved each season, with an 82.7 mark in 2023 and an 85.1 tally last year — which was eighth in the NFL.
With Raimann lining up next to left guard Quenton Nelson, Indy boasts one of the better left sides in the league, which has been a boon for running back Jonathan Taylor and should be of utmost value to Jones or Richardson.
The two are in the beginning stages of a QB battle for the top spot, but there’s no competition at left tackle.
Raimann was entering the final season of his rookie contract with a $3.65 million base salary due him. He’s getting a stupendous raise as he’s been pegged as one of the pillars for a Colts team hoping to be on the rise following a four-year playoff drought.
COLTS SIGN DT JOSH TUPOU, PLACE T JACK WILSON ON INJURED RESERVE
WESTFIELD, Ind. – The Indianapolis Colts today signed free agent defensive tackle Josh Tupou and placed tackle Jack Wilson on the Injured Reserve list.
Tupou, 6-3, 340 pounds, has played in 68 career games (23 starts) in his time with the Baltimore Ravens (2024) and Cincinnati Bengals (2017-23). He has compiled 89 tackles (42 solo), 7.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and one forced fumble. Tupou has also appeared in five postseason contests (one start) and has registered six tackles (one solo). He was originally signed by the Bengals as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2017, out of Colorado. In 2024, Tupou spent time on the Ravens’ active roster and practice squad. He appeared in three games and tallied three solo tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack. His last name is pronounced TEW-po.
Wilson, 6-11, 310 pounds, spent Weeks 6-8 on the Colts practice squad last season after originally signing with the team on October 9, 2024. He played basketball at Minnesota in 2023-24 and appeared in seven games. Wilson played football at Washington State (2020-22) and saw action in 25 games along the offensive line and on special teams. In 2022-23, he was also a member of the Cougars’ basketball team and appeared in 14 games. Prior to Washington State, Wilson played basketball at Idaho (2019-20) and Oregon State (2018-19). At Idaho, he saw action in 18 games and averaged 4.2 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per game. At Oregon State, Wilson appeared in seven games.
COWBOYS GUARD ROB JONES BREAKS BONE IN HIS NECK AND COULD MISS MONTHS, HE SAYS
OXNARD, Calif. (AP) — Dallas Cowboys guard Rob Jones broke a bone in his neck during the first padded practice of training camp and is expected to miss two to three months, the four-year veteran told the team’s website Monday.
Jones signed a one-year contract in free agency to give the Cowboys some depth in their offensive line. He had been working with the starters before getting injured in practice Sunday in California. Jones said the injury happened early in practice, but he finished the day.
The injury to Jones likely clears the way for rookie first-round draft pick Tyler Booker to start. There was a good chance Booker would have started anyway, although Jones was making an impact on the coaching staff.
The 26-year-old Jones spent his first four seasons in Miami after signing with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent. He started all 17 games last season and has 30 starts for his career.
The Cowboys have other options at guard, and all have starting experience. Saahdiq Charles joined Dallas this offseason after four years in Washington. Brock Hoffman was an injury replacement last season for seven-time All-Pro Zack Martin, who retired this year.
GIANTS PLACE BRYCE FORD-WHEATON ON INJURED RESERVE AFTER TORN ACHILLES TENDON, SIGN GUNNER OLSZEWSKI
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants placed wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton on injured reserve Monday, a day after he tore an Achilles tendon during practice at training camp.
Veteran wide receiver Gunner Olzsewski, a special teams standout, was signed to take Ford-Wheaton’s spot on the roster.
The 25-year-old Ford-Wheaton, in his third season with the Giants, went down Sunday on a play in which there was no contact. He got up, took a few steps and then slammed his helmet to the grass and sat down while trainers attended to him. Ford-Wheaton, who was carted from the field, missed his entire rookie season in 2023 when he tore an ACL in a preseason game against the Jets.
“Man, my heart aches for that man,” coach Brian Daboll said before practice Monday. “He’s done everything he could do to get back. He’s a very good special teams player for us and was having a good camp from working back from his injury. …
“That’s the tough part of this business — probably one of the worst is seeing these guys go down that have put so much time and effort and energy into getting back and we’ll certainly miss him.”
Ford-Wheaton, signed as an undrafted free agent out of West Virginia, returned last season from his torn ACL and played a key role on special teams for the Giants. He returned a blocked field goal 60 yards for a touchdown in a win over Seattle in Week 5.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t devastated!” Ford-Wheaton wrote on X on Sunday. “I did everything by the book! Didn’t take a single shortcut, left no stone unturned, invested everything into my body and my health this year.
“I’m not sure why me but I promise I’m not going out on these terms. It’s a long road ahead for sure but I know this is just part of Gods plan for me no matter how tough it may seem right now. Thank you all for your prayers, please continue to keep me in them. I WILL be back that’s a promise!! God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers!”
Olszewski returns to the Giants after spending most of the past two seasons in New York. He injured his groin before the season opener last year and was placed on injured reserve.
Olszewski, an All-Pro in 2020 after leading the NFL in punt return yards with New England, played his first three seasons with the Patriots after being signed as an undrafted free agent out of Bemidji State in 2019. He signed with Pittsburgh in 2022 and was released during the 2023 season before the Giants signed him to their practice squad.
REPORT: BENGALS, DE TREY HENDRICKSON MAKE PROGRESS, ‘NOT CLOSE’ ON GUARANTEES
One holdout defensive end is under contract, but there is still ground to gain in negotiations between the Cincinnati Bengals and Trey Hendrickson.
Hendrickson, the NFL leader in sacks last season with 17.5, is training in Florida while Cincinnati gets ready for the regular season. The Bengals have made progress toward an agreement with the 30-year-old, but ESPN reported Monday the hangup over the amount of guaranteed money in the deal is significant.
NFL reporter Adam Schefter said during an interview on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday the two sides are OK with the length and total amount in the new contract. But he said there is between “$6 million and $10 million” difference in what the Bengals are offering in guarantees and what Hendrickson wants.
The Bengals finally had a breakthrough with first-round pick Shemar Stewart, their 2025 first-round pick who had been a holdout over contract language.
Hendrickson is subject to daily fines of $50,000 for missing training camp.
A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Hendrickson has been seeking a long-term deal since last year and said in the offseason he was open to a trade if it meant being paid what he believes to be his true value.
At issue is Hendrickson’s $15.8 million salary in 2025, the last season on a four-year, $60 million contract he signed in 2021. The highest-paid pass rushers in the NFL are all making at least $34 million per season, with Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons also in line for a massive payday.
Hendrickson has indicated he won’t play without a bump in pay.
“When there’s a lack of communication in any relationship, where it’s a business or personal relationship, lack of communication leads to animosity, and that leaves my narrative only to me with no clear direction,” Hendrickson said May 13 when asked about whether he wants to remain with the Bengals.
BRONCOS, WR COURTLAND SUTTON REACH FOUR-YEAR EXTENSION
The Denver Broncos and wide receiver Courtland Sutton agreed to a four-year contract extension on Monday, and head coach Sean Payton is eager to get the team’s No. 1 target back in the flow of the offense.
Sutton’s deal is worth $92 million, per multiple reports. The Broncos confirmed the four-year extension (covering the 2026 through 2029 seasons) but did not release the financial terms.
Sutton, a team captain, has been participating in individual drills during the first week of training camp. With the extension and more guaranteed money headed his way, the veteran wideout can focus on football.
“Here’s the deal: He’s been participating in all the individual, all the 1-on-1. He’s gotten 7-on-7 work. He’s gotten team reps. He’s just being smart,” Payton said just before the deal was announced Monday. “It’d be different if you felt like he was missing improvement, or not being out here, or just being out here riding the bike or something. I kind of know that player well enough to feel really good about where he’s at and his mindset both mentally and physically.”
Sutton was among league leaders in contested catches (34) and had a career-high 81 receptions last season.
“I think like any player, he’s dealt with some injuries. There are certain years. His 2019 film was outstanding. His film last year,” Payton said of Sutton’s evolution in his offense. “Finding that right weight and balance. Then what are the things that he does well? Certainly he’s a strong target. He’s smart. He’s one of our, I would say, clearly one of our leaders on this team. There are a lot of things that he brings to the table.”
With Bo Nix as the Broncos’ quarterback last season, the 29-year-old Sutton had 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games (13 starts).
Over seven seasons in Denver, after he was a second-round draft pick in 2018 out of SMU, he has made 379 receptions for 5,340 yards and 32 TDs in 98 games (82 starts). He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2019.
ESPN: PLAYFUL KISS LED TO RAIDERS RELEASING CHRISTIAN WILKINS
ESPN reported Monday that a playful kiss to the head of a teammate led to the release of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins last week by the Las Vegas Raiders.
The teammate, who went unnamed, took offense to Wilkins’ action, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Monday on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“When you speak to people there, inside the locker room, they say Christian playfully went to kiss a teammate on top of his head, and those same people said that player took offense to it,” Schefter said on McAfee’s show. “So that’s what everybody’s been dancing around.”
The Raiders released Wilkins last week after one season. The Raiders, who had signed Wilkins in March 2024 to a four-year, $110 million contract with $84.75 million guaranteed, had placed him on the physically unable to perform list before the start of training camp.
Wilkins, 29, had been working his way back from a season-ending Jones fracture to his left foot, sustained in the Raiders’ 34-18 loss to the Denver Broncos on Oct. 6. Wilkins did not participate in drills during OTAs in May nor in mandatory minicamp, according to media reports.
ESPN reported that the Raiders have voided the remaining $35.2 million of guaranteed money and that Wilkins filed a grievance with the NFLPA on Thursday.
Wilkins recorded 17 tackles and two sacks in five games (all starts) before having season-ending surgery.
He has totaled 372 tackles, 22.5 sacks, one interception, four forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries in 86 career regular-season games (82 starts) with the Miami Dolphins and Raiders. He was selected by the Dolphins with the 13th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Clemson.
