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TRAINING CAMP NOTEBOOK: DANIEL JONES, ANTHONY RICHARDSON SR. PUT TOGETHER ‘BACK TO BACK REALLY NICE DAYS’ ONE WEEK INTO COLTS’ QUARTERBACK COMPETITION
WESTFIELD, Ind. – Anthony Richardson Sr. stood tall in the pocket, clicked through his progressions and kept his feet calm, allowing him to find Michael Pittman Jr. for a touchdown in a goal-to-goal 11-on-11 drill early on Tuesday’s training camp practice at Grand Park.
The third thing there – calm footwork – showed up plenty not only during Tuesday’s practice, but on Monday as well for the third-year quarterback. Richardson spent this offseason in part working on his footwork, and a week into the Colts’ quarterback competition, the improvements he’s made there have been noticeable.
“You can see that Anthony’s offseason work is paying off,” offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said. “He’s gotta keep going. We gotta keep working on it. We gotta keep pushing to get better. But we’re always encouraged when a guy goes out and puts work in and shows up and plays a little bit better because of it.”
Richardson said he feels “slightly more consistent” with his footwork, and feels like he has more control over the ball when it leaves his hand. Later in that same 11-on-11 period, Richardson bought time by backpedaling before lofting a touchdown toss to tight end Mo Alie-Cox.
As practice went on, Richardson completed a handful of impressive throws as well. He layered an intermediate sideline pass between defenders to tight end Tyler Warren in seven-on-seven; he accessed a creative arm angle to rip an over-the-middle strike to Pittman in 11-on-11; and with defensive tackle Tim Smith in his face, he made an off-platform throw to wide receiver Anthony Gould, who made a tough catch downfield in 11-on-11.
Richardson also completed several shorter throws with rhythm and accuracy. But he wasn’t the only Colts quarterback to have a good practice Tuesday; Daniel Jones, for the second consecutive day, completed plenty of his passes as well.
“I do feel them putting together back to back really nice days,” Cooter said. “We’re striving for that consistency on offense as a whole.”
Jones, at one point in seven-on-seven, completed three straight passes to wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, one of which came on a deep ball. He later connected down the field with wide receiver Josh Downs, who made an impressive diving catch reminiscent of the one he made in Germany as a rookie.
Both Jones and Richardson have steadily improved throughout training camp, which is sort of the point – the more reps they’ve got, the cleaner things have become.
“Where you are the first couple days is not where you want to be,” Jones said. “I think I’ve made progress and taken steps — I think the group as a whole has done that the last couple days in pads.”
Jones and Richardson certainly look like they’re pushing each other on the field, but away from the practice field they’re picking each other’s brains and working toward the same goal, which is more about the team than it is about them as individuals.
“We’re both competitors and out here, we’re trying to put our best foot forward as quarterbacks and play well,” Jones said. “But the communication in the meeting room or whatever it is off the field has been great. I think I’ve learned a lot from him. Cam (Turner, quarterbacks coach) does a really good job in the room teaching, getting everyone on the same page, making sure we’re ready to go for practice. It’s been a great room to be a part of.”
Colts head coach Shane Steichen has consistently said there is no timetable on when he’ll name his starting quarterback; we’re only six practices in to the competition, so it’s too early to call anything right now anyway. For Jones and Richardson, the absence of a timetable is a good thing, and it’s keeping their focus on what’s directly in front of them instead of some looming date in the future.
“My job, and all our jobs as players, is to come out and work and improve every day,” Jones said. “The timing of it and how it works out is way over my head. Obviously you’re human, you think about where you are and how it’s going, but you gotta do the best you can focus on what’s right in front of you.”
Both quarterbacks will look to continue stacking good days with three more practices at Grand Park (Thursday, Saturday, Sunday) before leaving for Baltimore next week. And for Jones and Richardson, that focus on what’s in front of them also comes with a necessary approach – each is preparing like they’ll be the Colts’ Week 1 starting quarterback, even if only one of them can hold that title.
“Every day I gotta be like that,” Richardson said. “I gotta work as if I am going to be the Day 1 starter regardless of what decision they make. I’m still working to improve. They’re gonna make the best decision for the team and that’s ultimately what we need. If this team wants to win a Super Bowl, it’s not about me, it’s about the team. I’m just working as if I am the starter and if I do get the job, glory to God.”
News & Notes
We’ll get an update on Thursday from head coach Shane Steichen on the statuses of cornerbacks JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones. Brents did not participate in Tuesday’s practice, while Jones left and did not return.
Left tackle Bernhard Raimann, fresh off signing a contract extension, had a couple of impressive wins in one-on-one pass rushing drills.
Left guard Quenton Nelson was a brick wall in his two one-on-one pass rushing reps as well.
Cornerback Sam Womack III had two pass break-ups in cornerback vs. wide receiver one-on-one drills.
Cornerback Justin Walley broke up a Jones pass to Pittman in 11-on-11; it looked like the Colts’ pass rush disrupted Jones’ timing on the throw.
Quarterback Riley Leonard connected on a deep ball to wide receiver D.J. Montgomery in 11-on-11.
Safety Hunter Wohler picked off a tipped pass during an 11-on-11 developmental period.
Defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau leapt to swat down a pass at the line of scrimmage in 11-on-11.
COLTS LOSE DB JAYLON JONES TO INJURY
Jaylon Jones is battling to become the Colts starting cornerback, but Tuesday wasn’t his day at Colts camp. Jones went down during 1-1 coverage and apparently hurt his hamstring. Trainers reached Jones and put him onto a cart. Jones has played in 34 games since being drafted in the seventh round in 2023 out of Texas A&M. He was a starter last season in all 17 games. Jones was expected to be the Colts #2 corner behind Charvarius Ward.
The Colts also practiced without JuJu Brents who was out with a hamstring injury. WR Michael Pittman tweaked his groin Tuesday, but did finish practice. LB Cam McGrone, CB David Long, and RB Salvon Ahmed all missed practice Tuesday.
CHIEFS’ MARQUISE BROWN AMONG SEVERAL PLAYERS INJURED IN SWELTERING TRAINING CAMP PRACTICE
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Wide receiver Marquise Brown was among several Kansas City Chiefs who left practice with an injury Tuesday, when the nearly 2 1/2-hour workout was conducted in temperatures that produced a triple-digit heat index by its conclusion.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said that Brown, who missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, had hurt his ankle early in the practice. Brown was sitting up while he was driven in a cart from the practice fields to the locker room.
“I haven’t seen him yet but they took him up. I don’t think it’s too bad but we’ll see,” Reid said.
“Hollywood” Brown was among several wide receivers who got dinged up. Second-year standout Xavier Worthy “banged his head,” Reid said, but returned to the practice field. And 2022 second-round pick Skyy Moore, who at this point appears to be a longshot to make the roster out of training camp, also left practice with a hamstring injury.
Others who missed time included fifth-round pick Jeffrey Bassa (ankle sprain), tight end Jake Briningstool (hamstring), linebacker Cooper McDonald (illness) and defensive backs Deon Bush (hamstring), Eric Scott Jr. (hamstring) and Darius Rush (hamstring).
Kristian Fulton, who signed a two-year, $20 million deal in free agency, remains on the PUP list with a knee issue.
“It’s hard work. You’re out there in the heat. It’s tough,” said Reid, who soaked through his windbreaker with sweat, “but the guys battled through. I appreciate the tempo they set and all the energy that they gave.”
In one case, a bit too much energy. First-round pick Josh Simmons, who appears to have the inside track on the starting left tackle spot, got into a shoving match with third-round choice Ashton Gillotte, who is trying to earn snaps at defensive end. The dust-up led to a couple of punches being thrown before Reid and other players intervened.
“It’s hot and you get ornery,” Reid said with a smile.
REPORTS: BENGALS STAR TREY HENDRICKSON TO END HOLDOUT WEDNESDAY
Cincinnati Bengals star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson plans to end his holdout and report to training camp on Wednesday, ESPN and NFL Network reported Tuesday.
The four-time Pro Bowl defensive end has been seeking a big contract extension. He is slated to make $15.8 million in base salary in 2025.
Hendrickson, 30, led the NFL in sacks last season with 17.5. He has 35 over the past two seasons and 57 in four seasons with the Bengals.
The two sides have been in a stalemate all offseason. In mid-May, Hendrickson told reporters he wouldn’t play this season unless he received a bump in pay.
Hendrickson apparently craves an increase in pay that will place him in the higher echelon of defensive players. Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt just landed the highest annual average salary ($41 million) in history for a defensive player.
Over the offseason, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett ($40 million AAV) and Los Angeles Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby ($35.5 million) also landed huge deals.
Hendrickson has been a Pro Bowl selection in all four of his seasons with Cincinnati. He played his first four seasons with the New Orleans Saints, serving as a backup for the first three campaigns.
Hendrickson has 77 sacks, 220 tackles and 14 forced fumbles in 110 games (81 starts).
VETERAN K NICK FOLK RETURNS FOR SECOND STINT WITH JETS
The New York Jets are bringing back 40-year-old kicker Nick Folk, the team announced Tuesday.
Folk has appeared in 242 games over 17 seasons with five teams, including the Jets from 2010 through 2016.
He led the NFL in field-goal accuracy in each of the past two seasons with the Tennessee Titans: 96.7 percent (29 of 30) in 2023 and 95.5 percent (21 of 22) in 2024 — the two highest marks of his career.
With the Jets, Folk made 82.2 percent (175 of 213) of his field goals and 99.0 percent (204 of 206) of his extra-point attempts. He ranks second in franchise history in made field goals and points (729).
Entering 2025, Folk ranks third among active players and 14th on the all-time list with 403 career field goals. Among active kickers, he trails Justin Tucker (417) and Matt Prater (407).
Folk made the Pro Bowl as a rookie with the Dallas Cowboys (2007-09) and has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2017) and New England Patriots (2019-22).
The Jets signed former UFL kicker Harrison Mevis and released Anders Carlson in June. They waived undrafted free agent kicker Caden Davis on Tuesday.
REPORT: 49ERS SIGNING FORMER UFL DE JAYLON ALLEN
The San Francisco 49ers are signing former UFL edge rusher Jaylon Allen, NFL Network reported on Tuesday.
Allen, 25, originally joined the Denver Broncos as a 2024 undrafted free agent but was later waived with an injury settlement.
Allen worked out with the 49ers last weekend following a similar tryout with the Arizona Cardinals, per reports.
He tallied 23 tackles, 21 quarterback pressures and 1.5 sacks in 10 games for the Memphis Showboats in 2025.
The 6-foot-2, 245-pound defensive end played college football at Memphis from 2019-23, recording 13 sacks, three fumble recoveries and 150 tackles in 60 games.
COWBOYS LT TYLER GUYTON AVOIDS ACL TEAR, OUT 4-6 WEEKS
An MRI revealed that Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyler Guyton did not tear his ACL in practice on Monday.
Guyton, 24, avoided the season-ending injury but will miss four to six weeks with a bone fracture in his right knee.
He was injured when his leg got rolled up on during a padded practice at training camp in Oxnard, Calif.
A first-round draft pick (29th overall) by Dallas in 2024, Guyton started 11 of his 15 games as a rookie last season.
The recovery timeline gives Guyton a chance to be ready for the Sept. 4 season opener at Philadelphia.
Getting reps in his place will be a group of tackles on the roster, including Hakeem Adeniji, Asim Richards, Matt Waletzko and sixth-round rookie Ajani Cornelius.
2025 NFL PROTECTOR OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES: TOP 10 OFFENSIVE LINEMEN WHO COULD WIN LEAGUE’S NEW AWARD
NFL.COM RELEASE-NICK SHOOK
When fans take their seats in stadiums, bars or their homes to watch professional football, most of the attention is paid to those throwing, catching and carrying the football. Meanwhile, the five (or more) linemen tasked with protecting those skill players from the opposition go overlooked.
No longer.
Thanks to the efforts of Buffalo Bills tackle Dion Dawkins and retired OT Andrew Whitworth, the NFL has introduced a new award to honor the league’s top blocker: Protector of the Year.
College football has long awarded annual accolades for blockers. Now that the NFL has joined in on the fun, the collegiate game might offer us some insight into how this award will be given.
As is the case with most end-of-season awards, team success undoubtedly will increase a player’s chances of receiving the hardware. However, that’s not the be-all and end-all of candidacy. A select group of linemen have performed so well over the course of their respective careers that they don’t need team success to be recognized. They’re the elite blockers who are all but guaranteed to receive a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
With these factors in mind, I’ve spotlighted some of the linemen listed below with the expectation they’ll play a key part in an upper-tier offense for a contending team. But I’m not restricting consideration to that criterion alone.
Here are my top 10 choices for who’s most likely to earn the league’s newest end-of-season honor.
Rank
1
Penei Sewell
Detroit Lions · RT · +450
No matter who you ask, most everyone will agree Sewell is the favorite to take home the first Protector of the Year award. Billed as a generational talent coming out of Oregon, Sewell has lived up to expectations so far, completing the switch to right tackle and making such a difference for Detroit’s high-powered offense last season that he garnered some fringe consideration for Offensive Player of the Year. With an award now in place to properly recognize linemen, Sewell will bring a sterling reputation to the race and should own a place near the front of the pack in 2025. The only way he doesn’t land among the top finalists is if Detroit’s offense regresses under new offensive coordinator John Morton.
Rank
2
Trent Williams
San Francisco 49ers · LT · +1100
Considered by many to be the best offensive lineman in the NFL, Williams took a minor reputational hit in 2024 due to injury, which cost him seven games in a season in which his team regressed dramatically due to personnel losses. That should be nothing but a footnote in the end, though, provided Williams can stay healthy in 2025 and San Francisco can get back on track. As stated above, this award will likely rely on team success, but Williams is among the rare group of players who can attract an accolade even if the team is struggling. He still ranked in the top seven among all tackles last season, according to Pro Football Focus, and he’s also the main blocker in Kyle Shanahan’s exotic, ambitious running schemes that put him in motion and on tracks toward obliterating defenders, producing viral content we all enjoy. If there’s a household name on this list, it’s Williams.
Rank
3
Lane Johnson
Philadelphia Eagles · RT · +750
Johnson’s second Super Bowl triumph came amid a season in which he and the rest of the Eagles’ stellar offensive line cleared alleys for Saquon Barkley to run for over 2,000 yards, a memorable journey that won’t be forgotten in Philadelphia any time soon. Since Jason Kelce retired after the 2023 season, Johnson has replaced him as the elder statesman and leader of the elite group, which has remained highly effective even as faces have changed. If the Eagles author another successful campaign and Barkley rushes for 1,300-plus yards, expect Johnson to be among the finalists. Like Williams, he’s already headed for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Rank
4
Jordan Mailata
Philadelphia Eagles · LT · +1000
The other standout tackle on Philadelphia’s line, Mailata has already achieved enough in his football career to consider it a great success, having transitioned from rugby to become one of the NFL’s top tackles. The former seventh-round pick reached a new peak in 2024, earning the top OL grade in the NFL, per PFF, and at 28 years old, he’s squarely in his prime. Like Williams, Mailata has earned his own internet fame for cackling after pancaking opponents and clearing room for Barkley, and his Australian accent — plus his awesome singing voice — have made him one of the most likeable players in the league. He’s a mobile mountain who revels in destroying opponents and is one of the very best at doing so, making him an easy choice for consideration.
Rank
5
Creed Humphrey
Creed Humphrey
Kansas City Chiefs · C · +2500
Humphrey is all but a unanimous choice for the best center in the NFL today and Kansas City’s true offensive line cornerstone. After a year in which the starting five collectively struggled and eventually crumbled in the Super Bowl, plenty of attention will be on the Chiefs O-line in 2025. If the blocking unit bounces back, Humphrey is going to receive plenty of praise for it, even if he’s been the same dependable pivot all along.
Rank
6
Dominick Puni
San Francisco 49ers · RG · +10000
Lost in San Francisco’s disappointing 2024 season was the emergence of Puni, a third-round pick who debuted as a top-flight guard in his rookie season. The clues existed early, and while attention diverted from San Francisco before December, Puni continued to build momentum and impress the front office. Just ask general manager John Lynch:
“I think it shows that our process worked there,” Lynch told reporters in early January, via NBC Sports Bay Area. “But I would say he really exceeded our expectations. We thought we got a good player, and I think he showed us a little more than that. We were just talking about it upstairs — everyone saw the real strong play, the consistent play. I think there’s more in the tank of where he can grow.”
As some of the 49ers’ main contributors move into the later stages of their respective careers, players like Puni and quarterback Brock Purdy represent the franchise’s future. Fortunately, Puni is tasked with protecting Purdy, and if Purdy lights it up — and/or Christian McCaffrey produces an impressive bounce-back season — Puni will get some looks. He’s already earned plenty of love from true ball-knowers.
Rank
7
Quenton Nelson
Indianapolis Colts · LG · +2000
Nelson established his reputation as an elite guard as a rookie and continues to play at a high level, earning a Pro Bowl trip in every season of his seven-year professional career. He’s fallen out of the spotlight in recent seasons, though, because the Colts’ reputation has declined. Jonathan Taylor has missed plenty of time, limiting a home-run-hitting running back and inherently decreasing chances for Nelson to receive attention. Changes in the offensive group have led to a unit regression, too, an issue GM Chris Ballard is still trying to address. 2025 will be pivotal for a number of Colts, but they don’t need to worry about Nelson. If everything comes together for Indianapolis, folks might remember a premier guard plays there, too.
Rank
8
Joe Thuney
Chicago Bears · LG · +2800
2024 typified Thuney’s excellence, especially amid chaos. The Chiefs realized their gambles on the left tackle position had failed them, and in a desperate move to settle a leaky offensive line, they moved Thuney out wide. It largely worked, helping the Chiefs return to the Super Bowl, but then they were overwhelmed by the Eagles’ defense. Ultimately, this influenced GM Brett Veach to remodel the line. That effort included trading the 32-year-old Thuney to Chicago, where he arrived as a much-desired upgrade at guard.
Rank
9
Tyler Linderbaum
Baltimore Ravens · C · +4000
Baltimore’s aggressive investment in Linderbaum — the team traded back into Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft and ultimately selected the Iowa product at No. 25 overall — has paid off in spades. The Ravens needed to solidify the center spot after a few years of instability and received exactly what they wanted in Linderbaum, who was just a top-three player at the position, according to PFF, in only his third professional season. Linderbaum was the pivot of the NFL’s most explosive offense in 2024 and returns to a group that is expected to produce a sequel that is just as good, if not better. Baltimore will be in the spotlight, and Linderbaum should receive recognition for it.
Rank
10
Chris Lindstrom
Atlanta Falcons · RG · +4000
Those who watched Kirk Cousins’ downfall in Atlanta might be surprised to learn he was playing behind the NFL’s top-rated guard (per PFF) last season. While it’s an illustration of how difficult football can be — and how important having all 11 players in sync is to a team’s chances of success — Lindstrom deserves recognition, regardless of how the quarterback performs. Why, you ask? Well, take a look at Bijan Robinson’s 2024 campaign: 1,456 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns, 431 receiving yards and one receiving score. He racked up those numbers in part because of how well Lindstrom performed in the run game. Second-year pro Michael Penix Jr. is taking over full time under center, and if Atlanta can rebound from a disappointing finish to 2024 — and if Robinson follows up last year’s showing with an equally good or better performance in 2025 — it will be very difficult to ignore Lindstrom for much longer.
ALSO CONSIDERED: Zach Tom, RT, Green Bay Packers; Dion Dawkins, LT, Buffalo Bills; Rashawn Slater, LT, Los Angeles Chargers; Quinn Meinerz, RG, Denver Broncos; Zach Frazier, C, Pittsburgh Steelers; Tyler Smith, LG, Dallas Cowboys.
It all looks good on paper, but Thuney will only receive consideration for this award if new Bears coach Ben Johnson can transform this offense into an explosive unit in short order, and if Caleb Williams can take steps (plural) forward in his second season. If Chicago ends up being a frequent topic of discussion due to on-field success, Thuney will be lauded as one of the pickups key to the team’s improvement — and that will lead directly into consideration for Protector of the Year.
