Colts camp observations: Efficient day for Matt Ryan, Nick Foles before Lions

WESTFIELD — A Colts passing game that had some hiccups in the preseason opener against Buffalo turned in an efficient day Tuesday in preparation for joint practices against the Detroit Lions.

Matt Ryan completed 7 of 9 passes and Nick Foles backed up Ryan by going 7 for 7, both quarterbacks mostly taking short, high-percentage completions, although both passers did make tough, tight-window throws over the middle.

Ryan did have one throw he’d probably like to have back.

Rolling out to his right — Ryan continues to show he has enough mobility to move the pocket some — Ryan saw tight end Kylen Granson get free on the left side of the field and he put a little too much air under the ball, allowing Nick Cross to catch up to a waiting Granson and knock the ball away. The other incompletion was a contested throw to Alec Pierce.

But outside of those two throws, Ryan completed three passes to Michael Pittman Jr., two to Jonathan Taylor and one apiece to Nyheim Hines and Granson. Foles completed three passes to Drew Ogletree, two to Mike Strachan and one apiece to DeMichael Harris and Jelani Woods.

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7-on-7 fireworks

Pittman Jr. and Stephon Gilmore have clearly developed a relationship in training camp. Gilmore likes to ride a stationary bike during special teams periods to keep warm, and at one point, Pittman Jr. came running over to joke about going up against each other in the next session.

Then the pair went back out on the field and went back to work against each other.

First, Kenny Moore II knocked the ball away from Pittman Jr. and into Julian Blackmon’s hands for an interception, and then Pittman Jr. came back on the next play to put a double move on Gilmore and get free down the sidelines.

A little while later, Ryan found Hines down the sideline for a TD against E.J. Speed.

Full speed ahead

Strachan who was activated off of the physically unable to perform list on Monday, did not look limited in Tuesday’s practice, although the Colts were not in full pads.

Strachan appeared to play most of the snaps with Foles and the second-team offense, hauling in a pair of passes in 11-on-11 work, the first on an out near the sideline and the second settling into a hole in the zone for a short completion.

The second-year wide receiver also made at least one catch from Foles in 7-on-7 drills.

Strachan tore his meniscus in organized team activities in late May, underwent surgery and missed the first three weeks of training camp, but he should have a chance in the battle for the No. 5 receiver spot, a spot where there is no clear frontrunner yet.

Injury report

Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (concussion), wide receiver Keke Coutee (groin), offensive tackle Dennis Kelly (knee), defensive tackle Chris Williams (right lower leg), cornerback Anthony Chesley and linebacker JoJo Domann did not practice.

Wide receiver DeMichael Harris and linebacker Forrest Rhyne returned to practice after missing at least a week.

All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard (back) remains on the active/physically unable to perform list.

Quick game

Braden Smith took a couple of 1-on-1 snaps at guard against DeForest Buckner and held his own. For the first time in training camp, Matt Pryor took a 1-on-1 snap at right tackle. … Will Fries played center with the second team offensive line, flanked by Wesley French at left guard and Alex Mollette at right guard. … Rolling to his right, Sam Ehlinger hit a sliding D.J. Montgomery on the sideline for a completion on the final play of practice. Ehlinger was 3 of 4 on the day. … Kicker Jake Verity, who missed an extra point in the preseason game on Saturday, missed at least one more field goal Tuesday and potentially missed another -- the referee wasn't present until the final two kicks.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts camp: Efficient day for Matt Ryan, Nick Foles before Lions