Colts Preparing for Packers Joint Practice with Energy — and Caution
WESTFIELD, Ind. — The Colts will host the Green Bay Packers for a joint practice Thursday before their preseason game Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium. These sessions are meant to raise the competitive bar without crossing into full game intensity — a balance the Colts are determined to find after what happened last week in Baltimore.
During the joint practice with the Ravens, rookie cornerback Justin Walley suffered a torn ACL — a major blow for a young player trying to make his mark. And over the past week, the list of sidelined Colts has grown for other reasons. Wide receiver Alec Pierce, cornerback Kenny Moore II, defensive end Kwity Paye, and safety Nick Cross have all missed practice time with injuries the team would rather not see become a trend this early in the preseason.
Head coach Shane Steichen says the best way to prevent more setbacks is staying mentally sharp. “We got to make sure we're engaged, locked in, in every situation. And especially when you're tired because that's when you make the most errors. And if you want to build that camaraderie and that friggin competitive endurance, it starts out here in training camp,” Steichen said.
Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo stressed that Thursday’s session isn’t about out-scheming the Packers — it’s about execution. “We’re not game planning anything. It is basic calls and go watch guys run cover, get off blocks and tackle. I don't want anybody making an error. I want them just to see how they play,” Anarumo said.
On the offensive side, coordinator Jim Bob Cooter says controlling the cadence will be key to staying in rhythm and avoiding mental lapses. “We always say the cadence is a weapon, right? Offensively we break the huddle, we know the cadence, we know when the ball is going to be snapped. The defense does not. Let's use that against them,” Cooter said.
The joint practice will serve as the Colts’ final tune-up before facing the Packers under the lights at Lucas Oil Stadium. The challenge? Bring the energy and physicality that makes a joint practice valuable — but keep the roster as healthy as possible for the games that matter most.
