The quietest stretch of the NFL calendar ends July 29, when players report to Grand Park in Westfield and five Indianapolis Colts training camp storylines take center stage.
The offseason has already answered some questions, but several of the biggest ones remain unresolved. From Daniel Jones’ recovery from a torn Achilles to Anthony Richardson’s uncertain future and a roster replacing multiple veteran starters, training camp will shape much of the Colts’ outlook heading into the 2026 season.
Here’s a look at what’s ahead for Indianapolis.
Colts Training Camp Dates, Preseason Preview
The Colts open training camp on July 29, with veterans reporting July 28 and rookies arriving a day earlier.
Indianapolis will hold three joint practices during camp. The Colts will travel to New England for a joint practice on Aug. 11, two days before their preseason opener against the Patriots on Aug. 13. Indianapolis then returns home to host two joint practices with the Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 19 and 20 before the teams meet in the second preseason game on Aug. 22 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Colts 2026 Preseason Schedule
- Week 1: Thursday, Aug. 13 at New England Patriots (7:30 p.m. EDT)
- Week 2: Saturday, Aug. 22 vs. Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m. EDT)
- Week 3: Saturday, Aug. 29 vs. Detroit Lions (3 p.m. EDT)
Five Colts Training Camp Storylines to Watch
1. Daniel Jones’ Achilles Recovery Will Make Or Break The Season
Nothing will have a greater impact on the Colts’ season than the health of Daniel Jones.
Jones tore his Achilles on Dec. 7, ending what had been the finest season of his career. Indianapolis still committed to him with a two-year, $88 million contract, betting he would return to form in time for 2026.
The encouraging signs have been there. Jones progressed from throwing routes on air during organized team activities to participating in 7-on-7 work during minicamp, and head coach Shane Steichen has repeatedly said the veteran quarterback remains on schedule for a full training camp workload. Jones has also expressed confidence he’ll be ready for Week 1.
Training camp, however, presents an entirely different challenge.
This will be Jones’ first opportunity to move inside a live pocket, work through consecutive padded practices, and absorb contact. If he looks comfortable planting on his repaired leg, extending plays, and handling a normal practice schedule, the Colts can enter the regular season with confidence. If his workload has to be managed, it immediately becomes one of the biggest questions surrounding Indianapolis entering September.
Every practice from the opening week through the joint sessions in August will provide a clearer picture of whether the Colts’ biggest offseason investment is ready to lead the franchise.
2. Does Anthony Richardson Make It Through Camp as a Colt?
Jones is firmly entrenched as the starter. What remains unsettled is who will be behind him—and whether Anthony Richardson will still be on the roster when the regular season begins.
Richardson and second-year quarterback Riley Leonard split backup reps throughout the spring, but Richardson’s long-term future with the organization remains uncertain after requesting a trade earlier this offseason.
The timing of any potential move is worth watching. If the Colts wait until after Aug. 1, Indianapolis would absorb Richardson’s roster bonus, making him significantly less expensive for an acquiring team. Just as importantly, quarterback injuries around the NFL often reshape the trade market during training camp and the preseason. A team that suddenly loses a starter could quickly become interested in adding the former No. 4 overall pick.
At the same time, Indianapolis has to determine whether Leonard is ready to serve as the primary backup. The former sixth-round pick made his first NFL start in the 2025 season finale against the Texans and showed enough poise against one of the league’s better defenses to make the coaching staff optimistic about his development. If he continues that progression in training camp, the Colts could feel comfortable moving Richardson if the right trade materializes.
Whether Richardson finishes training camp wearing a Colts uniform may become one of the most closely watched stories of August.
3. Can the Colts Replace Five Veteran Starters?
Indianapolis experienced significant roster turnover this offseason.
Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was traded, linebacker Zaire Franklin departed in free agency, and the Colts also lost right tackle Braden Smith, edge rusher Kwity Paye, safety Nick Cross, and longtime slot corner Kenny Moore II.
Training camp is where the Colts find out whether they already have the answers.
Jalen Travis enters camp as the favorite to replace Smith at right tackle. At linebacker, Akeem Davis-Gaither and rookie CJ Allen appear positioned to compete for significant roles. Cam Bynum and rookie A.J. Haulcy headline a rebuilt safety room, while Justin Walley projects as the favorite to replace Moore in the slot.
Offensively, Pittman’s departure puts even more pressure on second-year tight end Tyler Warren to become a featured weapon. The competition behind Alec Pierce and Josh Downs is also wide open, with Ashton Dulin, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Laquon Treadwell, and several younger receivers battling for roster spots and playing time.
The first two weeks of camp should provide the clearest indication yet of whether Indianapolis successfully replaced a significant portion of its veteran leadership.
4. Can the Colts Generate Enough Pressure Off the Edge?
Training camp gives Indianapolis its first extended opportunity to evaluate whether its younger edge rushers are ready for expanded responsibilities. Coaches will be looking for players capable of winning one-on-one matchups, setting the edge against the run, and providing the kind of disruptive plays that often determine close games.
The Colts don’t necessarily need one player to replace all of Paye’s production. They need a rotation capable of creating pressure consistently without relying heavily on blitz packages.
If Indianapolis can identify multiple contributors before the preseason ends, it will go a long way toward stabilizing a defense entering the year with several new starters.
5. Joint Practices Will Reveal More Than the Preseason Games
Preseason games rarely feature starters for extended stretches, making joint practices one of the most valuable evaluation periods of training camp.
The Colts will face the Patriots in a joint session on Aug. 11 before traveling home for two more practices against the Falcons on Aug. 19 and 20. Those workouts should provide a much better measuring stick than competing against the same teammates every day.
How Daniel Jones handles another defense will be closely watched, but he won’t be the only player under the microscope.
The practices should reveal whether Jalen Travis is prepared to protect the blind side against NFL-caliber pass rushers, how the revamped secondary handles opposing receivers, and which young players are capable of earning meaningful snaps before the regular season begins.
For a roster with several unanswered questions, these three joint practices may provide more meaningful evaluations than the preseason games themselves.
One Final Summer at Grand Park
This year’s camp marks the end of an era. The Colts will hold their eighth and final training camp at Grand Park Sports Campus before moving camp to the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis beginning in 2027.
Colts Owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon called the team’s last camp in Westfield and ensuing move “bittersweet.”
Thirteen practices will be open to the public, including primetime sessions on Aug. 1, 6, 8, 15, 19 and 20.
Main Image: Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
