Indianapolis Colts defensive end Samson Ebukam celebrates a sack against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 16, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

WESTFIELD – The pads won’t come on until next week for the Indianapolis Colts at training camp.

But that didn’t stop the defensive line from making its presence felt during Saturday’s practice at Grand Park Sports Campus.

On the opening snap of 11-on-11 drills, defensive end Samson Ebukam raced into the backfield so quickly second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson hardly had time to react. By the time he rolled away from the oncoming pass rusher, the play already had been blown dead and called a “sack.”

Later in the 75-minute session, Kwity Paye crashed in from the opposite side and cut off Richardson’s escape route for a “sack” of his own.

There were at least three such plays from a defense that recorded 51 actual sacks in 2023 – an Indianapolis-era franchise record – and the linemen also were instrumental in no fewer than four penalty flags being thrown against the offense for infractions ranging from false starts to holding.

“Well, I mean that’s where it starts, right, is with your defensive line, especially with who we have up front,” defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said. “We like our veteran presence, the leadership there. So we’re counting on them to kind of set the tone for the whole defense because we have a saying – ‘It starts up front.’ And, really, with us, that’s true.”

There is much concern over an inexperienced secondary that is still holding starting competitions at free safety and both outside cornerback spots.

While that unit has plenty of potential but little proven on-field production, the defensive line has a nice mix of veteran leadership and youthful hope.

Defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart lead the way, with ends Ebukam and Paye looking to keep pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Versatile Dayo Odeyingbo also is entering the final year of his rookie contract with something to prove, and there are high hopes for rookie Laiatu Latu – the first defensive player selected in April’s NFL Draft at No. 15 overall.

“Well, I mean, it’s a great (first impression) because right now we’re seeing a skillset that saw in college – his speed off the ball, his moves,” Bradley said. “But, once the pads come on, when you don’t know it’s pass and it’s run-pass, can you covert run to pass?

“Can you have all these moves and see that skillset transfer over into all situations? So he seems like he’s heading in the right direction though.”

Much responsibility is being placed on the defensive line.

The men up front need to get consistent pressure and force the ball out of the quarterback’s hand to help protect the young secondary.

Improving on last year’s record sack total could be a tall order, but Bradley emphasizes it’s not all about raw numbers.

“I think when you have some success like that with the sacks, all of a sudden now you see more play-action maxes (protection) where they keep people in, and it’s more two-man routes or three-man routes,” he said. “We saw a little bit of that last year. We could see that, but it’s important that we develop a mindset with our d-line, converting run to pass because it feels like a run, and then it’s a pass.

“… Each year is a new year. So we’ve just got to keep building as a unit to where they learn, they get enough reps with each other that they can kind of have a good feel for each other.”

RICHARDSON WATCH

While the offense struggled as often as not – botched snaps also were a recurring problem – Richardson was crisp in the passing attack for the second straight session.

Working on first- and second-down packages, he was 4-for-4 in 11-on-11 drills with no touchdowns or interceptions.

For the first two practices of training camp, Richardson is 8-for-9 with three scoring strikes and no picks in full team work.

ROSTER NOTES

Right tackle Braden Smith again worked out with athletic trainers on the opposite field and did not participate in practice as he is eased back from knee surgery.

Backup quarterback Joe Flacco was absent to attend the funeral of former Baltimore Ravens teammate Jacoby Jones.

NEXT PRACTICE

“Back Together Weekend” continues Sunday with practice from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Colts City will be open from 2 to 6 p.m.

Tickets are available at Colts.com/camp. There is a $5 cost for fans age 18 and over.