Colts Daily Notebook: Chargers Preparation Goes Into Overdrive

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INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday held their first full practice of the regular season, as they prepare for Sunday’s Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.


“In-season Wednesday,” head coach Frank Reich said to begin his press conference on Wednesday. “I mean, this is the start of the cycle. This is the start of the climb. And we’re looking forward to getting to work today on the practice field, first day, and our guys are ready to go.”


The Colts had a “bonus day” of sorts on Sunday, getting in a light practice, before giving the players the day off on Monday. The team returned to the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center for a day of meetings on Tuesday, so Wednesday’s practice — a fully-padded session — was really the first opportunity for the team to put everything it’s been planning around Sunday’s season opener into action.


The team, relatively speaking, is extremely healthy entering the Chargers matchup. Just two players — running back Jonathan Williams (rib) and defensive end Jabaal Sheard (knee) — did not participate in Wednesday’s practice, giving Reich and his staff virtually a full roster to prepare for Sunday’s game.


Two other players — running back Jordan Wilkins (ankle) and cornerback Kenny Moore II (thumb) — were seen wearing red non-contact jerseys on Wednesday, as was practice squad wide receiver Ashton Dulin.


Wednesday was also the first Colts practice for new No. 2 quarterback Brian Hoyer, who was signed by the team on Monday to be Jacoby Brissett’s backup moving forward.


Hoyer told reporters Wednesday that he’s taking the opportunity to learn as much of the Colts’ playbook as possible heading into Sunday’s game in stride.


“I was telling Jacoby it’s like, imagine studying Spanish for four years in college and then, like, the last week before finals they’re like, ‘Alright, here’s French. Good luck. Here’s the final exams on Sunday,’” Hoyer said. “So just trying to figure it out. I mean, there’s some similarities, but just trying to take it one day at a time, and a little bit at a time.”