One practice squad move to pass along:
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: OT Cedrick Lang
- Released: OT Gerhard de Beer
Today’s practice squad updates:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: DE Ufomba Kamalu
- Released: OL Marcus Applefield
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived from PS-IR: RB Bruce Anderson
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DB Adonis Alexander
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: C John Keenoy
The Colts have designated wide receiver Devin Funchess to return from injured reserve, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Funchess suffered a broken collarbone during his Indianapolis debut in Week 1, but the Colts had been holding out hope that he’d be able to return to the field late in the regular season. While Funchess is back at practice as of Wednesday, head coach Frank Reich said this week that Funchess needs to prove his health before he returns to game action.
“Technically, he could be cleared to play the game,” Reich said. “But he’s got a few more boxes to check. We have to make sure he’s good to go because this will really be his first week of practice. Then we still have to see how much he’ll be able to do Wednesday. We’re really encouraged. I think there’s another box he has to check before we can go full boar on the practice.”
The Colts signed Funchess to a one-year, $10MM deal in March after he spent the first four years of his career with the Panthers. The only free agent receiver who collected more on an annual basis this offseason was Tyrell Williams, who inked a four-year, $44.4MM pact with the Raiders. In his stint with Carolina, Funchess averaged 40 receptions, 558 yards, and five touchdowns per season.
When he does officially return, Funchess will join a Colts wide receiver depth chart by T.Y. Hilton, who is currently battling injury himself. Indianapolis has made heavy use of its tight ends in the passing game this season, leaving Zach Pascal as the only Colts wideout besides Hilton with more than 20 receptions on the year.
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Vontarrius Dora, DB Sojourn Shelton, G Ian Silberman
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Greg Dortch
- Released: WR Quadree Henderson
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Dino Boyd, LB James Vaughters
Denver Broncos
- Signed: S Tyvis Powell
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: RB Darius Jackson
- Placed on injured list: RB Bruce Anderson
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: C Nate Trewyn
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LB Jake Carlock
- Released: DB Doug Middleton
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Davion Davis
The Colts are looking at kickers, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to make a change. The plan is to stick with Adam Vinatieri, coach Frank Reich says (Twitter link via Stephen Holder of The Athletic).
“Adam is our kicker. Chris and I have talked about the situation. Obviously there have been other kickers in here,” Reich said. “When you take a look, we believe Adam is the answer.”
Vinatieri, 46, has missed six extra points and five field goals this season. His woes have cost them games, including Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins.
Still, Vinatieri is a future Hall of Famer with a resume full of Super Bowl rings and clutch kicks. The Colts, clearly, are keeping some options in the back pocket but Vinatieri’s job is safe – for now.
Vinatieri will look to get back on the right track on Sunday when the Colts take on the Jaguars on Sunday afternoon. Then, it’s a short week for the Colts as they face the Texans in Houston on Thursday night.
- Some good news out of Indy: Colts coach Frank Reich told reporters that wideout Devin Funchess should return to practice this week. “Technically, he could be cleared to play the game,” Reich said (via Jim Ayello of the Indy Star). “But he’s got a few more boxes to check. We have to make sure he’s good to go because this will really be his first week of practice. Then we still have to see how much he’ll be able to do Wednesday. We’re really encouraged. I think there’s another box he has to check before we can go full boar on the practice.” Funchess landed on the IR after breaking his collarbone during the season opener.
[SOURCE LINK]
Today’s practice squad updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: RB Craig Reynolds
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: OT Garrett McGhin, OT Aaron Monteiro
- Released: OT Matt Kaskey
Denver Broncos
- Signed: LB Malik Carney
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: OL Gerhard de Beer
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Alex Bachman, LS Colin Holba
Here’s the latest from around the league’s workout circuit:
Carolina Panthers
- OT Garrett McGhin, OT Aaron Monteiro
Cleveland Browns
- DE Tashawn Bower, DB Jontrell Rocquemore
Houston Texans
- RB Elijah McGuire, DL Caraun Reid
Indianapolis Colts
- TE Matt Flanagan, CBs Jayson Stanley, WR Cody Thompson
New York Giants
- RB George Aston, WR Alex Bachman, WR Jonathan Duhart, LS Dan Godsil, LB Dewayne Hendrix, LS Colin Holba, OT Pace Murphy, P Ryan Santoso, LS Drew Scott, CB Arrion Springs, K Tristan Vizcaino, WR Papi White, LB Jamell Garcia-Williams
After another difficult outing from future Hall-of-Famer Adam Vinatieri on Sunday, the Colts are working out free agent kickers today, as Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). Graziano says the team has not made any decision with respect to Vinatieri, but Indianapolis wants to see what’s available in case it elects to move on from the 46-year-old.
It sounds as if the Colts will consider cutting Vinatieri if they are sufficiently impressed by one of the kickers they’re bringing in for a tryout. If that happens, it would be an unceremonious end to a brilliant career, but Indianapolis cannot afford to keep Vinatieri around because of what he’s accomplished in the past. In 2019, the four-time Super Bowl champ has directly contributed to several of the Colts’ four losses — including Sunday’s home loss to the previously 1-7 Dolphins — and he has missed a whopping six extra points and five field goals.
After the second game of the 2019 season, a game in which he missed two PATS in a narrow win over the Titans, Vinatieri sounded like a man contemplating retirement. He ultimately elected to continue playing, and the Colts have stood by him, but after the defeat to Miami, it was easy to see that head coach Frank Reich‘s patience was wearing thin. Now, it’s unclear whether Vinatieri has already attempted the last kick of his 24-year NFL tenure.
We will pass along the names of the kickers the Colts are trying out when they become available.