Special Teams Work a Focus for Indianapolis Colts in Camp

As the Indianapolis Colts kick off their 2025 training camp at Grand Park, one area has received unprecedented attention from coaches and players alike: special teams. After a 2024 season where special teams miscues—including missed field goals, botched punts, and costly return touchdowns allowed—cost the Colts three critical games, the team has made revamping this unit a top priority. Unlike previous camps, where special teams drills were often squeezed between offensive and defensive sessions, this year’s schedule allocates dedicated two-hour blocks each morning to kickoffs, punts, field goals, and return plays. For a Colts team aiming to defend their AFC South title and make a Super Bowl run, strong special teams play isn’t just a bonus—it’s a necessity to win close games in a competitive NFL. Special Teams Work a Focus for Indianapolis Colts in Camp is a clear signal that the team is addressing past weaknesses and building a more complete roster.

The Colts’ special teams focus starts with refining the basics, particularly in field goal and extra point units—areas that plagued them last season. Kicker Matt Gay, who missed 5 field goals and 2 extra points in 2024, has been put through a rigorous daily routine: 50 practice kicks before sunrise, followed by situational drills where he kicks from game-like distances (35-55 yards) with crowd noise piped in to simulate pressure. Punter Rigoberto Sanchez, who struggled with hang time last year (averaging 4.2 seconds per punt, down from 4.8 in 2023), is working with special teams coordinator Brian Mason on adjusting his stance and follow-through to improve trajectory. The long snapper position, too, has gotten extra attention: veteran Luke Rhodes is mentoring rookie undrafted free agent Jake Tonges, with daily drills focused on consistency (snapping to the exact spot on every attempt) and speed (getting the ball to the holder in under 0.7 seconds). These drills aren’t just about repetition—they’re about building muscle memory so players perform flawlessly when the game is on the line. Special Teams Work a Focus for Indianapolis Colts in Camp is evident in the team’s commitment to fixing even the smallest details that can swing a game.

Another key area of focus is the Colts’ return units, which failed to score a touchdown in 2024 and ranked 28th in the NFL in kickoff return average (19.2 yards per return). To turn this around, the Colts have brought in new talent and redesigned their return schemes. Wide receiver Ashton Dulin, who showed flashes of potential as a returner in 2023 (22.5 yards per kickoff return), has been named the starting kickoff returner and is practicing with a new blocking unit that includes linebackers Zaire Franklin and E.J. Speed—players with the size and speed to create holes. For punt returns, the Colts are giving reps to rookie wide receiver Tyler Boyd Jr., whose quickness and ability to change direction have impressed coaches in camp. Mason has also introduced new “gap blocking” schemes, where linemen and linebackers focus on creating specific lanes for returners rather than just blocking the nearest defender. These changes were put to the test in a recent scrimmage, where Dulin returned a kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown and Boyd Jr. had a 30-yard punt return—signs that the return units are making progress. Special Teams Work a Focus for Indianapolis Colts in Camp is paying off in the form of more dynamic and effective return play.

For the Indianapolis Colts, special teams work in camp isn’t just about individual players—it’s about integrating the unit with the offense and defense to create a cohesive game plan. One of the most notable changes is the inclusion of starters from other units in special teams drills. Quarterback Gardner Minshew, for example, now participates in field goal drills as the holder, practicing how to handle bad snaps and quickly place the ball for Gay. Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, a Pro Bowl-caliber pass rusher, has been added to the kickoff coverage unit to use his speed to chase down returners. This cross-unit integration ensures that special teams plays aren’t afterthoughts but part of the team’s overall strategy. The Indianapolis Colts have also been practicing situational scenarios, such as a game-winning field goal attempt with 10 seconds left or a onside kick recovery in the fourth quarter, to ensure all units know their roles and can communicate effectively. By treating special teams as equal to offense and defense, the Colts are building a more resilient team that can win games in any scenario. Special Teams Work a Focus for Indianapolis Colts in Camp is a step toward creating a “three-phase” team that excels in every aspect of the game.

The Indianapolis Colts have also invested in special teams talent off the field, bringing in new coaches and analysts to provide fresh perspectives. Mason, who was promoted to special teams coordinator in the offseason, has hired two new assistants: former NFL kicker Adam Vinatieri (a four-time Super Bowl champion) as a kicking consultant and former special teams coordinator Danny Crossman to oversee return units. Vinatieri has been working closely with Gay, sharing tips on handling pressure and adjusting to different weather conditions (critical for games in Indianapolis, where winter temperatures can affect kicking). Crossman, meanwhile, has brought in video analysis tools that break down return plays frame by frame, helping returners and blockers identify areas for improvement. The Indianapolis Colts have also added a special teams analytics coordinator, who uses data to determine the best times to go for onside kicks, attempt fake punts, or adjust kickoff depth based on opponent tendencies. These off-field investments complement the on-field drills, giving the Colts a comprehensive approach to special teams success. Special Teams Work a Focus for Indianapolis Colts in Camp is supported by the team’s commitment to hiring top talent and using data to drive decisions.

Looking ahead, the Indianapolis Colts plan to carry their special teams momentum into the preseason and regular season. The team has scheduled two preseason games where special teams will be a focal point: a home game against the Chicago Bears, where Gay will kick in front of a live crowd for the first time in camp, and a road game against the Cleveland Browns, which will test the return units against one of the NFL’s top coverage teams. By the end of camp, the Colts aim to have a special teams unit that ranks in the top 10 in the NFL in field goal percentage, punt return average, and kickoff coverage. For the Indianapolis Colts, special teams success isn’t just a goal—it’s a requirement if they want to compete for a Super Bowl. As Mason put it, “You can have the best offense and defense in the world, but if you lose the special teams battle, you lose the game. That’s why we’re focusing so much on it in camp.” Special Teams Work a Focus for Indianapolis Colts in Camp is the beginning of a new era for the team’s special teams unit—one that could be the difference between a good season and a great one.