Colts observations: Robert Turbin looking like a key part of backfield

Indianapolis Colts running back Robert Turbin (33) during their Colts minicamp at the Indianapolis Colts complex on Wednesday, June 13, 2018.

INDIANAPOLIS – That loud screeching sound you heard on Thursday was likely Indianapolis Colts players racing out of the parking lot of the team’s training facility.

Their eight weeks of offseason work now complete, players giddily left the practice field Thursday knowing they would not see another coach nor sit in another meeting until after reporting to training camp in Westfield on July 25.

Here are our observations from the final day of Colts mandatory minicamp:

>> Turbin won’t be denied

It would be easy to get caught up in the hype surrounding second-year running back Marlon Mack and the additions of draft picks Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins.

But to do so while overlooking veteran back Robert Turbin would be a mistake.

If there’s one thing this offseason has shown, it’s that Turbin seems to have an important place on this football team. We’ve known for quite some time that coach Frank Reich and his staff would employ a running back-by-committee approach in the team’s new offense. But, given the number of first-team snaps he’s taken this offseason, it seems we can safely assume Turbin has a place in that committee.

Central to that is Turbin’s unique skill set on this team. In Mack and Hines, in particular, the Colts appear to have two backs who are at their best when playing in space. But Turbin has the ability to play between the tackles and get the tough yards, something he’s proven as a short-yardage and third-down back during his time with the Colts. (He has a touchdown or first down on all 28 of his carries with 3 yards to go or less over the last two seasons.) With the departure of Frank Gore -- he and Turbin had similar styles -- Turbin’s value is now greater.

Could he see more action in 2018 than the 3.3 carries per game he's averaged the past two seasons?

“I think he brings an element of size and power and strength to the mix,” Reich said of Turbin. “We have Nyheim and (Josh Ferguson) and Marlon, when he gets back (from shoulder surgery), who has some juice. Then we have a couple guys who kind of provide us with some size and power. And Turb is one of those guys. And he’s shown it. But what I like about him is not only has he shown that size and power and strength, he’s smart, he’s good in protections and he’s good enough of a route runner that he can be a three-down back.”

You should look for the Colts to spread the carries between several running backs. Reich subscribes to the same principle as his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, who last season showed a steadfast commitment to using multiple running backs. The Eagles, at times, had four running backs get carries in the same game. In one unique example in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia had three running backs with 10 or more carries.

Reich will look to emulate that in Indianapolis. And a runner like Turbin could be at the center of those plans.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) runs onto the field during their Colts minicamp at the Indianapolis Colts complex on Wednesday, June 13, 2018.

>> Luck's next steps

Quarterback Andrew Luck skipped Thursday’s practice after finally throwing in practice the previous two days. That collective decision was made in advance of this week’s minicamp and was in keeping with the team’s detailed plan for Luck’s road to training camp post-shoulder surgery.

Reich on Thursday provided a few more specifics of Luck’s plans for the next six weeks, when players are prohibited from working with coaches and won’t be under their supervision.

“There will be a progression and I think that progression is charted out,” Reich said. “You go from where you’re throwing pretty stationary, not a lot of movement, then some of your movement throws, then you’re spotting receivers up and throwing to spots, and then after that is throwing competitive throws to receivers who are running full speed. He certainly would need to get that in before we return.”

If Luck can truly check all those boxes during the next six weeks, and do so without pain, the Colts anticipate no reason he can’t practice without limitations in training camp. Reich said he believes Luck will try to organize throwing sessions with teammates at an offsite location, though coaches can’t be involved in that process, per the collective bargaining agreement.

“That’s in Andrew’s court,” Reich said. “And that’s really par for the course for quarterbacks across the league: they call their guys up. And that’s what you love about (being) the coach. When you have that kind of leadership, we don’t have to organize that for them. We have leaders on the team. He knows what he has to do to get ready.”

Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich during their minicamp at the Indianapolis Colts complex on Thursday, June 14, 2018.

>> Put a ring on it

Reich was due to head to Philadelphia following Thursday’s practice on owner Jim Irsay’s private jet for the Eagles’ Super Bowl ring ceremony. Reich was the Eagles’ offensive coordinator the past two seasons and was ready to bask in the glory of the team’s victory over the New England Patriots in February.

And who knows? Maybe it will all spark a little extra motivation for Reich after he returns.

“I know a lot of people in this city know what a parade feels like … and what that ring ceremony feels like for the people that are involved,” Reich said, referring to the Colts’ Super Bowl XLI victory. “So, I finally get to experience that and I just know it’s going to give me a taste of what we want here and getting the people here to accomplish that goal multiple times.”

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Anthony Walker (50) warms up during their Colts minicamp at the Indianapolis Colts complex on Wednesday, June 13, 2018.

>> Walker update

Reich said linebacker Anthony Walker, a 2017 fifth-round pick, suffered a concussion during a collision in Wednesday’s practice. Walker went down after incidental contact, according to Reich, and remained on the ground in view of reporters for several minutes. He was carted off the field but was present for practice on Thursday. Walker will remain sidelined until he is symptom free, per the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Follow Colts Insider Stephen Holder on Twitter: @HolderStephen.