INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts took training camp to Lucas Oil Stadium Monday for a dress rehearsal. With the roof and window at the stadium open, the Colts put on their uniforms for a practice on their home field to simulate at 1:00 p.m. Sunday kickoff.
New quarterback Philip Rivers wore a number 17 Colts uniform for the first time at Lucas Oil Stadium. The team played a simulated game with an intrasquad scrimmage. The action was full speed without hits on the quarterback. Ball carriers were hit or tagged without tackling to the ground.
"This was a necessary step to be in the stadium and getting ready for the season,” said Colts head coach Frank Reich. “No one wants to go to Jacksonville that first game and not have been through as much of a game like scenario we got today, and we’ll get on Saturday."
The workouts at the downtown stadium Monday and Saturday allow the team to get acclimated to their home field and full-speed contact before the regular season, since there are no preseason games this year.
No fans were allowed in the stadium, and only about 25 percent capacity will likely be permitted when the team plays its home opener September 20 against the Minnesota Vikings. With a capacity of 67,000 fans at Lucas Oil Stadium, the crowd will be limited to under 17,000.
"It was definitely different,” said left tackle Anthony Castonzo. “You go out there and there's nobody in the stadium. On the field, it's still football. But just the atmosphere is definitely different. It took a little bit of getting used to. But for offense, no noise home or away, I think we'll be able to manage with that."
"I'm an energetic guy and like today, there were no fans out there,” said linebacker Darius Leonard. “Nobody's watching. But I'm still going to make sure that I lead his defense with contagious energy that I have."
Season ticket holders have the option to credit their payments to the 2021 season for the same seat location. But they can also request a refund this season without impacting their tenure, seat location and ability to renew season tickets for next season. The limited tickets for this season are being offered first to current season ticket holders in four-game packages.
Single-game tickets should go on sale to the general public soon.
"We just appreciate the patience and the understanding of the fans,” said Colts Vice President of Communications Steve Campbell, “because the news on this changes every day. Our fans are our most important thing to us. So we want them along for the journey, and we hope that as many of them can come along with us as possible."
The practice was held exactly one year after former Colts quarterback Andrew Luck walked off the field at Lucas Oil Stadium for the last time and announced his retirement from the NFL.