Colts observations: Cam Bynum provides rare highlight of day vs. Packers

WESTFIELD -- Cam Bynum retreated from his free safety position as Malik Willis spotted a matchup so easily in his favor.

A Packers tight end was breaking to the sideline in the intermediate portion of the field, so the Packers backup quarterback placed the ball where only he could get it -- right in the numbers, to the bullseye of this oversized player's frame, with the sideline as a shield and with Bynum fighting with desperation to work through a much bigger player to the ball.

But that's exactly what the new Colts free safety did, draping the tight end for a tackle that wasn't necessary because he reached a paw around and swatted the ball away.

Bynum was out of position, a little like he's been throughout his NFL career. But like across the four seasons that got him to Indianapolis on a four-year, $60 million contract, he simply found a way.

It was one of the few banner plays from the Colts defense in Thursday's joint practice against the Packers.

To be fair, the day wasn't built for many highlights from either side: Willis was starting against the Colts, much like he did for a Week 2 victory last season, because Jordan Love was out due to thumb surgery this week.

And Indianapolis was without a number of secondary starters and pass rushers who are here to make those splash plays, from cornerbacks Kenny Moore II, Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents to strong safety Nick Cross to defensive ends Kwity Paye, JT Tuimoloau and, after a couple series, defensive end Samson Ebukam.

But the coverage made more plays than the pass rush in this one. In addition to Bynum's breakup, linebacker Zaire Franklin recovered well to a moment when a Packers receiver was easily open up the seam, and though the ball could have been out in front of him for a gain, Franklin showed poise in getting his head around and swatting the pass from his arms.

The Colts pass rush flushed Willis a few times but wasn't generally as disruptive as it was in last week's joint practice against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Laiatu Latu had an early sack, and Adetomiwa Adeboware scored one on a rare rep when the entire defensive line collapsed the pocket.

Hunter Wohler sees more run

With Cross out for a third straight practice, seventh-round rookie Hunter Wohler got to enjoy some opportunities. He reacted well to one deep ball to the end zone from Willis to create a contested catch scenario and a breakup, though he did get beat by Cornelius Johnson on a slant in the back of the end zone.

Wohler has seen so much action this training camp, between the injury to Cross and the Colts' ongoing search for whatever help they can find at linebacker next to Franklin. Whereas Wohler has seen some dime linebacker snaps in previous practices, he was parked as the starting strong safety in this one.

He's had some high moments, like a breakup against Tyler Warren earlier in the week and two interceptions against the Ravens last week, including one on Jackson. But he's also been tested in ways that have resulted in some missed tackles and open receivers at times as well.

COLTS MAILBAG: How many wins will save Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen?

“Still a long way to go for him," Anarumo said earlier this week, "but we like what we see and we're certainly not going to keep any good players on the bench.”

But, on the whole, it's been an encouraging camp for a seventh-round rookie learning two positions in the same evolving defensive scheme. And it's safe at this point to call him a lock for this roster, given the growing needs for depth at safety and linebacker.

Injury report

All of the defensive backs the Colts were without on Monday did not practice against the Packers. That included Moore, who is out with a knee injury but whom Steichen said is "feeling good." It also included Jones and Brents, out with hamstring issues; as well as third-round Minnesota rookie Justin Walley, who went down last week against the Ravens with a season-ending ACL tear.

Paye (hip) missed another practice, and Ebukam left with a back injury that he suffered one one of the early series of the 11-on-11 session.

Linebacker Jaylon Carlies was sporting a boot on one of his feet.

Quick hits

Tyquan Lewis took the lion's share of edge rusher snaps opposite Latu with Paye, Ebukam and Tuimoloau out. ... Linebacker Cam McGrone was beaten badly in coverage by a tight end, showing one of the areas he's struggled with throughout this camp. ... The run defense was able to avoid the explosive gains that the Ravens' second-team offense ripped off against a mix of starters and backups in the preseason opener, though the Packers were able to find some consistent gains with the threat of Willis keeping the ball. ... Samuel Womack had a better day at outside cornerback than he's had throughout camp, as he avoided the penalties that have hurt him previously and had a couple of good plays on the ball.

Nate Atkins and Joel A. Erickson cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts observations: Cam Bynum provides rare highlight vs. Packers