Colts injury update to kickoff OTAs and quick glimpse of the beginning starting QB battle

The Colts kicked off OTAs on Wednesday with some updates.

The Indianapolis Colts began their voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) on Wednesday (Phase III), which will run through Friday of this late work week.

Both starting All-Pro linebacker Zaire Franklin (ankle, with a boot) and fellow projected starter Jaylon Carlies (shoulder) are still recovering from offseason procedures, so their absences were realistically expected this early in the offseason for what’s voluntary.

That being said, wide receiver Josh Downs and tight end Drew Ogletree reportedly missed Wednesday’s OTAs with ‘soft tissue issues.’

Meanwhile, star running back Jonathan Taylor is working out on his own for the time being in Florida (but reportedly had been in the building last week), but the Colts’ hope is that he’ll return back to the team’s complex soon.

Newly signed cornerback Charvarius Ward is still ‘transitioning’ (but was also in the Colts’ building last week). JuJu Brents reportedly filled in for Ward with Jaylon Jones outside.

If there was an encouraging injury update, both backup safety Daniel Scott and tight end Jelani Woods, who haven’t played in at least the last two seasons because of consecutive season-ending injuries (three in Woods’ case) are both reportedly participating in OTAs.

We also got a quick glimpse of the starting quarterback competition kicking off between incumbent Anthony Richardson and top challenger veteran Daniel Jones—although let’s hopefully just chalk up some of this beginning to rust from both men (via The Athletic’s James Boyd):