Defensive tackle Raekwon Davis practiced with the Indianapolis Colts for the first time during training camp on Tuesday, jumping right into action against the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive line during a joint practice. This session served as preparation for their upcoming preseason game on Thursday night.
Expressing his excitement, Davis said, “I feel great, man. Just to be back in this environment with them boys, you know. Just to be back out here working with them. It was a tough one today. A little rusty, but I’m getting there. … It’s a great opportunity to come out here just before even the season comes, just to work on that technique. I mean, them guys got me better, the reps I had today. It was fun, just working my way back.”
The former Alabama star had been sidelined due to high blood pressure, which was detected during his training-camp physical. He wasn’t medically cleared to practice until Monday, making his return to the field a significant step.
“I’m so grateful for (director of sports medicine Erin Barill) and them and (senior head athletic trainer Dave) Hammer and (head athletic trainer) Kyle (Davis) just to catch that type of problem,” Davis said. “Because we’ve been seeing so much with high blood pressure, with heart attacks and things like that, so it’s a great thing they caught that.
“It was a hassle just to get back. But, I mean, I’m back, trying to work my way up, trying to work my way back in shape, stay in the playbook. You know, just do everything I can do.”
Davis, who was a second-round draft pick by Miami in 2020, joined the Colts in March on a two-year, $14 million deal after spending four seasons with the Dolphins. However, his first training camp with Indianapolis was largely spent on the sidelines, riding an exercise bike and observing his new teammates.
“I can’t just be like it wasn’t, like, a problem,” Davis admitted. “I can’t sit here and act like it wasn’t a big deal. But, I mean, I handled it well. I just stayed patient, worked out, did what Hammer and them said to do, and just got my way back out here. …
“I was still in meetings now, so I wasn’t missing everything. I was still around during walkthrough. I just wasn’t capable to be on the field. That was it.”
The Colts brought Davis in to add depth behind their dominant interior defensive linemen, DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart. Confident in the team’s defensive line, Davis boldly declared, “We’re going to dominate. Ain’t no: What we can do? We’re going to dominate. We’re going to for sure dominate.”
The Colts and Bengals are set to kick off the final week of the NFL preseason at 7 p.m. CDT on Thursday at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, with the game being televised on Prime Video. The Colts will then open their regular season on Sept. 8 with an AFC South matchup against the Houston Texans.
When asked if he would be ready for the season opener, Davis responded enthusiastically, “Hell yeah, I’m ready to go.”
