Insider: 5 things learned from Colts' practice Wednesday

The Indianapolis Colts returned to the field in earnest this week for the first time since the end of the 2014 season.

They're called organized team activities (OTAs), but let's call them what they really are: practices.

Yes, football practice — in May.

The Colts, like all teams, are limited to strength and conditioning and, then, uncontested offensive and defensive drills in Phases 1 and 2, respectively, of the NFL offseason.

But Phase 3 kicked in this week, and that means the Colts are getting down to business.

Wednesday's workout, the second of 10 over the next few weeks, was open to reporters. Here's five things we learned about the Colts heading into the 2015 season:

DORSETT'S FITTING IN

His status as the Colts' first-round pick makes it unsurprising Phillip Dorsett is already flashing in practices.

But it was hard not to be impressed by the rookie out of Miami who, in his first week working with veterans, seamlessly worked his way into the lineup — and then some.

"It's definitely not too big for him," said quarterback Andrew Luck, who found Dorsett on a series of deep throws.

Dorsett displaying his speed at the college level is one thing, but it's already obvious that his speed also translates to the pros. Dorsett also has displayed impressive hands. He had a drop early in Wednesday's practice, but he responded with some notable catches, including a diving grab on a skinny post route.

He's also acclimating well in the classroom, where rookies often are most challenged. The Colts have Dorsett playing every receiver spot — both outside positions as well as in the slot. And he's handled the volume well for a kid who was drafted just three weeks ago.

"I'm definitely picking up the scheme," Dorsett said. "They have me playing all over the place. Concept-wise, I'm definitely getting there."

(OFFENSIVE) LINE DANCE

The Colts offensive line is a work in progress. In other news, water is wet and the sun is hot.

We should be careful to not draw conclusions from OTAs. They are, on some level, more about evaluation than locking things into place. So, much of what you see now will ultimately change. But there were some things of note on the offensive line.

Jack Mewhort, the starting left guard last season, is currently limited by an undisclosed injury. But when he did take snaps on Wednesday, he did so at right tackle.

That is significant. It doesn't mean a decision has been made to move Mewhort. However, it indicates that the Colts, at minimum, are giving it serious consideration. Why else would they go through the trouble? It's also a strong suggestion that the health concerns about Gosder Cherilus, the starter the past two seasons at right tackle, are well founded.

Elsewhere, Hugh Thornton saw extensive action at left guard with the starting offense, with Jon Harrison taking the overwhelming majority of the first-team center snaps. But that does not mean he has the edge over Khaled Holmes; the Colts still consider the position wide open.

"You never know," Harrison said. "We still have a couple more weeks of OTAs and then minicamp and it's kind of toward the end of training camp when they start to solidify things."

Newcomer Todd Herremans saw a lot of action at right guard with Joe Reitz taking snaps at right tackle — some with the first offense and some with backup units.

Wednesday's lesson: Be ready for anything as the Colts continue to shuffle and evaluate their offensive line.

DEFENSIVE DECISIONS

Dwight Lowery certainly looks like the clubhouse leader for the free safety job. Mike Adams is fairly entrenched at the strong safety spot, but the other safety job has been up for grabs. Lowery, signed as a free agent in April, seems to have the inside track because of the inexperience of those behind him and his own experience, including 15 starts with the Falcons last season.

Elsewhere, outside linebacker Trent Cole is the rush linebacker right now. There seems to be little debate about that. Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky is sure to experiment with some interesting personnel groupings and fronts, but Cole looks like a guy who is going to play a majority of the snaps based on his current workload.

PLAYING IT SAFE

If you have the slightest strain, sprain or nick, it's likely you won't see the field for the Colts right now.

The team is playing it safe, with a number of key role players being held out for a variety of injury concerns. The list includes tight end Coby Fleener, linebackers Bjoern Werner and Erik Walden and Mewhort (limited).

But much bigger injury concerns remain. Coach Chuck Pagano said Cherilus (knee) and linebacker Robert Mathis (Achilles) are very unlikely to see any action before training camp. The same likely applies for players like running back Vick Ballard (Achilles) and guard Donald Thomas (quad).

The health of those players will remain a storyline for the foreseeable future as there is still no certainty about their outcomes.

ANDRE JOHNSON'S BIG ROLE

The Houston Texans were pretty direct with Andre Johnson before parting ways with their all-time great. They wanted him to accept a lesser role, crazy as that might sound for a receiver with seven 1,000-yard seasons.

But after watching just a single practice in Indianapolis, it's clear the Colts do not share that opinion.

Certainly, no receiver on a team this deep at the position will play every offensive snap. But Johnson is not only getting the starter's treatment, he's also showing himself capable of playing a variety of roles.

Johnson was featured extensively in the slot on Wednesday, a spot that gives the Colts numerous options in the routes he can run. Johnson showed himself adept at working between the hash marks, and that's an area where the Colts could use some help.

When Johnson plays in the slot, he'll create opportunities for the Colts' speedsters on the outside, where they can exploit one-on-one matchups with their ability to get behind defenders and Luck's effortless deep balls.

Wednesday was little more than a snippet, but it's already clear Johnson is going to have an extensive role with the Colts.

Follow Star reporter Stephen Holder on Twitter: @HolderStephen.