Colts update the health of Jelani Woods, Josh Downs, Braden Smith and others
INDIANAPOLIS - The Colts are out on the practice field this week for the first time as a team with veterans and rookies together at organized training activities. It's also the first time they've come together under new coach Shane Steichen.
Naturally, some players are more active than others. These practices are voluntary, and though they're non-contact, they're also seen as unnecessary risks to anyone dealing with lingering health questions.
The Colts have a few of those situations.
The team's two Day 2 draft picks, cornerback JuJu Brents and wide receiver Josh Downs, were both present but in street clothes. Brents is nursing a hand injury that has lingered since his last season at Kansas State and will limit him until training camp. He'll be able to do some parts of the offseason program but can't punch at the ball just yet.
Downs suffered a knee injury recently that has kept him out of OTAs after he was Anthony Richardson's go-to target during rookie minicamp.
"It's nothing major, though," Steichen said.
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Second-year tight end Jelani Woods was also present and in street clothes as he works through a hamstring issue. Right tackle Braden Smith was also present but inactive, dealing with "a thing on his leg," per Steichen.
Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was not present, as his wife is giving birth to their second child and first son.
Linebacker Shaquille Leonard was present but just watching, as he's still recovering from his second back surgery, which took place last November. Leonard has been busy rehabbing in the Colts' facility in recent weeks.
"He's progressing well," Steichen said. "I don't have a timetable right now, but he's progressing well and he's doing a nice job."
Second-year tight end Drew Ogletree was another player present but in street clothes, as he's working back from the ACL he tore in training camp last year. He's at the nine-month mark now in his recovery but is taking it easier. He did catch a few passes with a Colts assistant off to the side while sitting down.
Punter Rigoberto Sanchez was also present and watching as he recovers from the Achilles he tore last training camp.
The Colts are mostly in a learning phase right now, trying to integrate the players with a new coaching staff, primarily on offense and special teams. They're familiarizing everyone with Richardson as well as Gardner Minshew, as the two split first-team reps at quarterback.
The time for intensity will come, but it's not here yet.
"You want to see how they learn in the classroom and can they take it to the football field," Steichen said. "It's not just with the quarterback but with every position. It's their job to learn the system and go out there and operate at a high level, and it's our job as coaches to teach them at a high level."
Contact Colts insider Nate Atkins at natkins@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @NateAtkins_.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts update the health of Jelani Woods, Josh Downs, Braden Smith and others
