The Indianapolis Colts held mandatory minicamp June 9-11. The only difference between these workouts and last week's OTAs is that these are mandatory. No major decisions will be made but coaches get another look at players and rookies and newcomers have time to adjust to the playing style.

For the Colts, these workouts are important for multiple reasons. There are a lot of new players on the Colts that need to get comfortable with each other on the field. The Colts made eight draft selections and traded for experienced players. In addition the team added 12 undrafted free agents that have the chance to earn a spot.

Major players returning from injury

Another reason there are so many eyes on this camp is because the Colts have injuries. Not a huge amount, but they are impact players the team needs for the season. This includes quarterback Daniel Jones, wide receiver Alec Pierce and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. Cornerback Sauce Gardner participated in OTAs last week and has spoken with the media and expressed his desire to step into a bigger role.

Jones is recovering from an achilles tear and fans should be hopeful that he will be ready for the season. He has been participating in 7-on-7 drills during minicamp. Head Coach Shane Steichen expects for him to be ready sometime during training camp, which will start next month but he does not want to rush him. This is a smart move on Steichen’s part because there is no reason to rush back, especially during the off season. If Jones and Pierce are ready by Week 1, there is no reason for Colts fans to worry.

Pierce, who just signed a new contract for $114 million, underwent ankle surgery in March. While Pierce did not go out with an injury, he said he has been experiencing pain since 2024 and it was only getting worse. While no recovery timeline has been set, he can be expected to be out for several more weeks, possibly past the preseason.

Buckner is a key returner for the Colts, but is coming off a scary injury. After suffering a neck injury, he even contemplated his future in the league before ultimately deciding to come back. Getting him back on the active roster would be huge for the defense, but no one wants to rush this process. A neck injury can be life altering and nothing to be taken lightly.

Rookie talent

Despite these injuries, there is still a lot for Colts fans to look forward to. The Colts have a lot of options at safety and it will be a battle for the starting positions. Third-round selection A.J. Haulcy has proven to be a strong candidate for the top spot. According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, Haulcy could be a strong choice to replace Nick Cross at safety.

CJ Allen, No. 53 overall pick in the draft from Georgia, is proving to be a promising rookie. Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo is impressed with Allen and Haulcy after the minicamps and is encouraged about what they could do during the season.

The Colts have a battle for the third wide receiving spot on the depth chart. With Pierce and Josh Downs as the first two options, a third option adds depth to an offense that will need it if it wants to go into the postseason. Currently, Ashton Dulin is the leader for this spot but this could change after training camp.

For fans, it is hard to be hopeful about the Colts when so much of the future rides on injury recovery. However, with the progress being made this early in the offseason, the Colts can start the season strong like they did last year. Training camp will give the younger players a chance to further develop and find their roles in the scheme. It also gives the players still recovering more time to heal and ease their way back into it. Overall, there are a lot of things to look forward to following minicamps and going into training camp.