Colts’ Secondary Takes a Hit, But Depth Might Cushion the Blow

Training camp took a tough turn for the Indianapolis Colts as starting cornerback Jaylon Jones went down with a non-contact leg injury on Tuesday, sending shockwaves through a position group that was already nursing some bruises.

Jones, who emerged as a 17-game starter last season with 100 tackles and two interceptions, went down grabbing his hamstring during a one-on-one drill and had to be carted off the field. It’s a painful blow—literally and figuratively—for a defense hoping to bounce back under new coordinator Lou Anarumo.

This injury comes on the heels of JuJu Brents already sitting out with his own hamstring woes. Suddenly, the Colts’ cornerback room looks more like a M.A.S.H. unit than a No-Fly Zone.

But there’s silver lining in sight. The addition of All-Pro Charvarius Ward in the offseason is already paying dividends, and rookie Justin Walley—drafted in the third round—is making waves early in camp. Walley, who clocked a 4.4 forty-yard dash at the combine, has impressed coaches and could be next in line to start if both Brents and Jones miss extended time.

The Colts’ secondary is turning heads around the league. NFL insider Albert Breer recently noted that the revamped group “already looks like the strength of the team,” with veteran safety Cam Bynum expected to anchor the back end of Anarumo’s system.

And with a run-first offensive identity, the Colts could benefit from shortening games and forcing opposing teams to win on the ground—a strategy that plays right into a physical, opportunistic secondary’s hands.

Training camp continues at Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana. Fans can grab tickets—including special theme days like “Salute to Service” and “Kicking The Stigma”—for as low as $5. Reserve your spot at Colts.com and get an early glimpse of this developing defensive storyline.