Colts Release LB Akeem Ayers
The Colts have released veteran linebacker Akeem Ayers, a source tells Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (on Twitter). As a vested veteran, he will be a free agent and not subject to waivers.
Ayers was cut loose by the Rams this time last year, a surprise since he had started eleven games for the club in the previous season. Ayers didn’t have that large of a role with the Colts in 2016, but his release was not expected.
Ayers appeared in all 16 games for Indy last year, but did not make a start. He finished out with 18 tackles, two sacks, and one interception. Ayers graded out as the No. 54 edge defender in the NFL out of 110 qualified players, per Pro Football Focus’ metrics.
The Colts plan to start John Simon and Jabaal Sheard at the outside linebacker spots in their 3-4 scheme. Rookie Tarell Basham and free agent additions Barkevious Mingo and Sean Spence will serve as their backups.
Patriots, Colts Swap QB Jacoby Brissett, WR Phillip Dorsett
The Patriots and Colts have completed an unexpected swap. According to ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter), the Patriots are dealing quarterback Jacoby Brissett to Indy for wideout Phillip Dorsett.
There were whispers that Brissett might not make the Patriots 53-man roster, despite the fact they used a third-round pick on the Florida/North Carolina State product in 2016. The 24-year-old got an opportunity to play during his rookie campaign, starting a pair of games for the depleted Patriots. He ultimately completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 400 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also added 83 rushing yards and one score on 16 attempts.
Brissett’s season ended early after he underwent thumb surgery, and he was subsequently placed on injured reserve. However, the second-year player looked fully recovered this preseason, and he threw for 341 yards and four scores during the team’s finale. While Bill Belichick has carried three quarterbacks in past seasons, he traditionally likes to carry a single backup behind starter Tom Brady. With Jimmy Garoppolo healthy and ready to go, the Patriots clearly wanted to carry an extra player elsewhere.
Now, Brissett could find himself thrust into a starting role with the Colts. With Andrew Luck‘s status up in the air for the team’s season opener, Indianapolis might view Brissett as a better starting option than Scott Tolzien and Stephen Morris.
Dorsett had spent his entire two-year career in Indy after being selected in the first round of the 2015 draft. He didn’t live up to his draft position during his rookie campaign, but the 24-year-old showed signs of improvement during his second year in the league. Dorsett ultimately appeared in 15 games (seven starts) last season, hauling in 33 receptions for 528 yards and two touchdowns.
With Julian Edelman out for the season, Dorsett will provide the Patriots with an experienced replacement. Meanwhile, the 24-year-old’s status with the Colts was up in the air. Roster Resource listed Dorsett as the team’s fourth wideout behind T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief, and Chester Rogers. The team is also rostering receivers Kamar Aiken, JoJo Natson, and Quan Bray.
Colts To Release LB Sean Spence
The Colts will release linebacker Sean Spence, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link).
Spenece, 27, was one of many Indianapolis additions on the defensive side of the ball, and looked to be a good bet for a roster spot based on salary, versatility, and experience. Spence agreed to a one-year pact with $750K guaranteed, a total that the Colts will now be forced to eat. Able to play both inside and outside linebacker, Spence looked like a viable starting option for Indy, but he’s fallen down a depth chart that also includes John Simon, Jabaal Sheard, Antonio Morrison, and Jon Bostic.
Spence wasn’t a full-time starter for the Titans last year, but did play on nearly 50% of the club’s snaps, managing 50 tackles and three sacks. He boasts 46 career appearances, with 19 total starts.
Andrew Luck Unlikely To Play Week 1
In speaking with reporters on Thursday night, Colts owner Jim Irsay indicated that Andrew Luck is unlikely to suit up for Week 1, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (Twitter link). Interestingly, Irsay also insinuated that the matter is now more in Luck’s head rather than his shoulder.
Whether it’s mental or not, it sounds like the Colts will be without their No. 1 QB when they face the Rams on Sept. 10. Meanwhile, the Rams could be without their best defensive player.
Colts Work Out Jody Webb
- The Colts have worked out fullback Jody Webb, Alex Marvez of Sporting News tweets. Webb went undrafted out of Youngstown State in the spring and hasn’t signed with a team since then.
Colts Make Four Moves
Indianapolis Colts
Colts QB Andrew Luck Won’t Go On PUP
The Colts intend to carry quarterback Andrew Luck onto their initial 53-man roster rather than place him on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, head coach Chuck Pagano tells Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Vontae Davis Has “Significant” Groin Injury]
That Indianapolis doesn’t plan on placing Luck on the PUP list does not mean he’ll be ready for the club’s season opener against the Rams on September 10 (or any of the Colts’ early-season contests). Instead, the decision to not put Luck on PUP only indicates he won’t be forced to miss the year’s first six games. Luck’s health status as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery has been murky, and neither Luck nor team owner Jim Irsay has committed to Luck playing in Week 1.
As of late July, Colts general manager Chris Ballard indicated the club would not sign another backup quarterback, instead opting to use veteran Scott Tolzien in place of Luck. Behind Tolzien, Indy doesn’t boast much experience, as Stephen Morris and Phillip Walker are the only other signal-callers on the roster. Tolzien is the only Colts passer aside from Luck with any starts under his belt, and he’s only started three career games.
Colts DB Vontae Davis Suffers Injury
Bad news for the Colts. Defensive back Vontae Davis will be missing multiple weeks with a groin injury, coach Chuck Pagano told reporters. He added that the injury is “significant.” 
[RELATED: Colts Center Ryan Kelly To Miss Time]
Davis was being counted on to start at left cornerback opposite of Quincy Wilson. Now, the Colts will have to lean more heavily on utility man Darius Butler as well as recent free agent pickups Corey White and Chris Culliver.
Last year, Davis was hampered by a ligament issue in his ankle, though he managed to tough it out and play in 14 of Indy’s regular season games. This time around, it’s a more serious injury that will require some serious rest.
Davis has been a pillar of the Colts’ defense ever since joining the team in 2012. He earned Pro Bowl nods in 2014 and 2015 and his performance was further validated by his exceptional marks from Pro Football Focus. Davis earned an insane 95.1 overall score in 2014 and followed it up with a solid 81.9 mark in ’15. Last year, PFF had Davis as one of the ten worst qualified CBs in the NFL.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/28/17
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LS Taybor Pepper
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LS Jeff Overbaugh
- Waived/injured: Patrick Scales
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived: P Will Monday
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: OL Gabe Ikard
Denver Broncos
- Waived/injured: DL Jimmy Bean
Detroit Lions
- Released: WR Keshawn Martin, TE Tim Wright
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: LS Derek Hart, WR Colby Pearson, RB William Stanback
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: S Earl Wolff
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LB Akeem Dent
- Waived from IR: CB Ezra Robinson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released: LB Josh Mauga
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: K Travis Coons
New England Patriots
- Signed: DL Michael Bart, LB Christian Kuntz, LB Nick Usher
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: LB Audie Cole
- Placed on IR: TE Clay Harbor
New York Giants
- Signed: DB Daniel Gray
- Placed on IR: OL Adam Gettis
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DE Mehdi Abdesmad, DL Hendrick Ekpe
- Waived: RB Blake Sims
- Placed on IR: Justin Trattou
Jets, Colts Complete Trade
The Colts have traded long snapper Thomas Hennessy to the Jets in exchange for safety Ronald Martin. Both teams confirmed the deal via press release on Monday morning.
The Jets’ acquisition of Martin is a sign that they are not pleased with long snapper Tanner Purdum. Purdum, the longest-tenured player on the Jets’ roster, has a $400K guarantee on his contract but he has looked off throughout the summer. It seems possible that Purdum will be handed a pink slip between now and the 53-man deadline on Saturday.
Martin has appeared in eleven career games for the Jets over the last two years and also spent time on the practice squad. Martin first broke into the league undrafted free agent with the Seahawks in 2015. Collegiately, Martin played in 37 games at LSU and tallied 149 tackles, 20 passes defensed, five interceptions, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Hennessy, an undrafted free agent out of Duke, suited up for 52 games while with the Blue Devils. He played his high school football at New Jersey powerhouse Don Bosco Prep.