Colts observations: Look who's leading the wide receivers race

Zak Keefer | IndyStar

Show Caption Hide Caption Insiders - New No. 2 receiver, Brissett sharp Insiders Stephen Holder and Zak Keefer discuss a new No. 2 receiver and how Brissett looks.

Preseason opener: Colts at Seahawks, 10 p.m. Thursday, WXIN-59

WESTFIELD – Almost two weeks in, the most muddled position race on the Indianapolis Colts’ new-look offense is starting to get some clarity. As in: Who’s the No. 2 wide receiver behind perennial Pro Bowler T.Y. Hilton.

So far, his name is Ryan Grant.

As much was indicated on the team’s first unofficial depth chart, released Saturday, and for good measure, coach Frank Reich doubled down a day later, noting that Hilton and Grant “have really separated themselves (from the group).” Asked a day later if he saw it the same way, here was what offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni had to say: “Absolutely I agree.”

So there it is: Grant, at least a week into August, has the inside track to be the Colts’ second starting receiver come the regular season opener on Sept. 9.

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The development is surprising to a certain degree; it’s not that Grant is WR2, it’s that he’s separated himself from the pack as much as he has. Incumbent Chester Rogers figured to be in the running, but hasn’t performed at as consistent a level, as far as the coaches are concerned, as Grant. And rookie Deon Cain, who’s already compiled a highlight reel worth of did-you-see-that? catches through the early stages of his first training camp, has leveled off of late, and slogged through a particularly frustrating practice Monday morning. (After a few drops, and a few botched routes, Cain got an earful from volunteer receiver coach Reggie Wayne.)

Cain certainly has shown his potential. The aim now is consistency, and showing it in preseason games.

As for Grant, no, he won’t wow you as a receiver, but the coaches like his consistency and laud his professionalism. They know what they’re going to get on a daily basis from Ryan Grant, and feel more that comfortable lining him up on the outside, opposite Hilton.

“Even if the ball’s not going to Ryan ... we see it in his play,” Sirianni said. “Look at how he’s running that route. Look at how he’s releasing off the ball there. Did you see that big run? Ryan Grant is the one that came in and (sprung) him. And that’s what we’ve seen from Ryan.”

It’s a simple reminder from the Colts’ new offensive coordinator: There’s a lot more to playing receiver than catching the football. And in this fresh, dynamic, versatile scheme, the coaches are looking for players who they can rely on every down.

Grant, of course, comes to Indy after four seasons in Washington. He’d agreed to a four-year deal with the Ravens in free agency, only to see Baltimore back out of the agreement after they said he failed his physical with an injured ankle. (The Ravens signed another wide receiver, Michael Crabtree, after he became available a day later.) Grant has bristled at the suggestion he wasn’t healthy, noting this spring that he immediately passed physicals for the Colts and Raiders.

He hasn’t missed a day of camp so far.

Maybe landing in Indy, with a hungry and healthy Andrew Luck, not to mention ample opportunity at the receiver spot, will prove a turning point in Grant’s career. Here was Grant’s analogy last spring: “Before Tupac hooked up with Dr. Dre, no one really knew who he was. But when he got with Dr. Dre, he was booming. So I feel like that’s how I am like coming here to Indy.

Dr. Dre, of course, is Andrew Luck.

Another receiver whose status is on the uptick of late is K.J. Brent, the long and lean undrafted free agent the Colt signed off the Seahawks’ practice squad last October. It’s more than just Brent’s long touchdown catch from Luck during Friday night’s practice; Brent has been a consistent headache for the defensive backs.

“Instead of learning just one position, I take pride in learning every position,” Brent said after Monday’s workout. “One, it helps in availability. If you learn the concepts, you learn the why, not just the how. You gotta know when it’s coming to you.”

The preseason games, beginning with Thursday’s in Seattle, will offer a more clear view of where the rest of the receivers stand.

Light day for Andrew Luck

After a lighter day of work Monday (14-for-19), Andrew Luck will throw one last time Tuesday before suiting up in his first NFL game in 18 months Thursday night in Seattle. (Wednesday is a day off for Luck, who will participate in the team’s walkthrough). He’s expected to play somewhere between two and four series against the Seahawks.

The Colts spent the bulk of Monday’s workout focusing on running drills, so Luck didn’t attempt many downfield throws. He did hit Eric Ebron deep late in 11-on-11 work, capping an up-and-down day for the first-year Colts’ tight end. Earlier in the day, Ebron had corralled a pass when cornerback Kenny Moore – sixty pounds lighter – came in and batted the ball out of his hands.

Injury updates

>> Anthony Castonzo sat out another practice and indicated after the workout it could be few weeks before he’s back on the field. Castonzo re-injured his hamstring Friday.

>> Safeties Malik Hooker and Clayton Geathers, activated off the PUP list last week, weren’t seen at practice Thursday. Neither are expected to play in the first two preseason games, and the primary reason for elevating them to the active roster last week was so they could participate in team walkthroughs. It’s probably a week or two before we’ll see either on the practice field.

>> Defensive end John Simon missed his second practice of camp with a groin injury.

>> Rookie defensive end Kemoko Turay, listed as a starter on the depth chart, missed another workout with a knee injury. He won’t play Thursday night, meaning Tarell Basham likely gets the start opposite Jabaal Sheard.

>> Defensive tackle Tyquan Lewis missed practice, and was seen in a walking boot on the sideline.

Call Star reporter Zak Keefer at (317) 444-6134 and follow him on Twitter: @zkeefer.