WESTFIELD, Ind. – Appreciation flows toward Joe Flacco on almost a daily basis.
He’s 39 and entering his 17th season with his fifth team.
At some point, Flacco needs to stop and enjoy what continues to be a long, eventful journey. And if he doesn’t, his Indianapolis Colts teammates are more than willing to do so.
“It’s tough to describe,’’ Flacco said after Wednesday morning’s training camp practice at Grand Park Sports Campus. “I mean, unless you’ve been in this environment. I feel like I’m getting reminded every day of how fortunate I am to be out here playing football, having fun and meeting new people . . . because all these young guys on the team are just looking up at you and saying, ‘What year is this? How old are you?’’’
Again, it’s year 17. And he’s 39. Among NFL quarterbacks, only the New York Jets’ Aaron Rodgers (40) is older.
“So, you’re just constantly reminded and it’s honestly a good thing because I think you need those reminders every now and then that show you how lucky you are to be able to play this game,’’ Flacco said. “It’s just been a lot of fun.”
The Colts signed Flacco in March to a one-year, $4.5 million contract to serve as Anthony Richardson’s backup. General manager Chris Ballard opted to invest heavily in a No. 2 quarterback after witnessing the impact of Gardner Minshew II last season.
After Richardson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the Colts’ week 5 win over the Tennessee Titans, Minshew stepped in and led them to a 9-8 record and within a few plays of winning the AFC South.
“The backup quarterback is going to be very important,’’ Ballard said at the end of last season. “I think we saw that. I can’t understate the value of what Gardner brought to this team. He gave us a chance to win each and every way, gave us hope, a chance to win.’’
When Minshew signed a free-agent contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, the Colts turned to Flacco.
Flacco has worked exclusively with the No. 2 offense during camp as the Colts have given Richardson as many reps as possible.
The quarterback room, Flacco insisted, is a tight one, starting with Richardson.
“I mean, listen, he’s not going to give you much in terms of how much he is going to maybe stray from football in the meetings and just shoot the breeze here and there,’’ Flacco said. “He’s a good kid and he’s an awesome athlete. It’s been a lot of fun. It’s a great room. Everybody in there has been great. So, it’s been a lot of fun with those guys.”
Flacco is coming off one of those can-you-believe-it? seasons.
He was unemployed when 2023 opened but signed with Cleveland in mid-December as the Browns’ injuries at the position mounted. Flacco led the Browns into the playoffs by directing them to four wins in five games to close the regular season.
He was selected as the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year.
Smith returns
One of the more important developments during camp has been the return of Braden Smith.
The veteran starting right tackle underwent offseason surgery to address an injury to his left knee. It bothered him much of the season and limited Smith to 10 starts.
Smith worked with the training staff when camp opened, but gradually regained his starting spot.
“Every day is a blessing, just being able to be with the team again,’’ he said recently. “When you’re standing on the sidelines, it’s not so fun. You just want to be part of that group and that camaraderie, just helping your team doing all that they can. But it’s just a blessing to be able to be back out there and I’m very grateful.”
Smith is back but admitted there’s still work to be done.
“You know, it always takes a little bit of time, but each day just getting a little bit better, getting a little bit smoother, getting kind of the feel of things again,’’ he said. “That’s all you can really ask for, and I’m just happy to be out there.”
Dealing with an injury – or playing when he’s not 100% - is not easy.
“It’s like when you are playing a little injured, even when you’re trying not to think about it there’s still subconsciously,’’ Smith said. “Like you’re not playing completely free the way you want to. So, just having a little bit more peace in the mind when you’re playing, not something in the back of your mind. That gives you a lot more freedom to go out there and play at the best of your ability.”
This and that
The Colts placed offensive lineman Wesley French on the injured reserve list and signed center Ryan Coll. French was forced from Monday’s practice with a lower leg injury.
Defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo returned to practice Wednesday after missing extensive time with a calf injury.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.