Colts Cut Punter Jeff Locke
Some people didn’t believe that the Colts were serious about having a punting competition. They ought to be believed now. The team announced on Monday morning that punter Jeff Locke has been released.
The 27-year-old Locke (28 in September) signed with the Colts as a free agent in March after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Vikings. He was given a two-year, $3.45MM deal to take over the for the retired Pat McAfee, but it will instead be undrafted rookie Rigoberto Sanchez handling that responsibility for Indianapolis.
McAfee was among the NFL’s top punters last year while Locke finished toward the bottom of the league in yards per punt and net average. Sanchez, meanwhile, averaged 44.8 yards per punt during his collegiate career at Hawaii.
To his credit, Locke ranked No. 5 in the league last year when it came to pinning opposing teams inside their 20-yard line.
Locke’s deal included $1.25MM in guaranteed cash, so he’ll have a nice chunk of change to hold him over until he finds his next gig.
"No Timetable" For Andrew Luck's Return
- The odds of Colts quarterback Andrew Luck missing the team’s season opener against the Rams on Sept. 10 continue to increase, Mike Wells of ESPN.com writes. Luck, who underwent right shoulder surgery in January, remains on the active/physically unable to perform list with fewer than 10 practices left until Week 1. Head coach Chuck Pagano said Tuesday that there “no timetable” for Luck to return, leaving the team with the less-than-stellar Scott Tolzien as its No. 1 option under center as long as its prized starter is on the shelf.
Colts Make Two Moves
Indianapolis Colts
Colts Sign CB Corey White
Chris Culliver isn’t the only cornerback the Colts signed today. Indianapolis also inked corner Corey White, placed corner Darryl Morris on injured reserve, and waived/injured guard Blake Muir, the club announced.
The Colts are clearly on the hunt for defensive back depth, and White will give them just that. A four-game starter for the Bills in 2015, White appeared in 15 total contests and played on a roughly a third of Buffalo’s defensive snaps. During that time, White posted 28 tackles, two interceptions, and four passes defensed. Additionally, White saw action on more than half of the Bills’ special teams plays.
White, 27, signed with the Jets in May, but was subsequently released from injured reserve earlier this month after suffering a back injury. Like Culliver, then, White’s health may be an important factor in just how much he can contribute early in the season. If available from a medical standpoint, White certainly boasts more experience than any Colts corner not named Vontae Davis.
Morris, meanwhile, was a rotational defensive back who appeared on 33.4% of Indianapolis’ plays in 2016. The 26-year-old started two games and earned a respectable No. 53 ranking among 110 qualified corners, per Pro Football Focus. It’s possible Morris will be released from injured reserve in the near future if he returns to full strength.
Colts To Sign CB Chris Culliver
The Colts have agreed to sign free agent cornerback Chris Culliver, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). It’s a one-year deal for Culliver, tweets Josina Anderson of ESPN.com.
Culliver, 29, was a 14-game starter as recently as 2014, but his recent campaigns have been defined by injury. After being released by the Redskins last spring, Culliver sat on the free agent market until landing a one-year deal with the Dolphins in August. Still recovering from a torn ACL, Culliver began the season on the PUP list and was ultimately cut in November without ever having played a down for Miami.
The Colts — who worked Culliver out today, per Mike Wells of ESPN.com (Twitter link) — can use all the secondary help they can get after ranking 26th in passing DVOA a year ago. Vontae Davis is Indianapolis’ only established cornerback, as second-round rookie Quincy Wilson is set to start opposite him with Darius Butler in the slot. Rashaan Melvin, Darryl Morris, Nate Hairston, and Chris Milton round out the rest of the Colts’ corner depth.
Given that uninspiring cast of characters, it’s entirely possible that Culliver could earn ample playing time early in the season. The condition of his knee, which ultimately led to his release in Miami, will likely determine if Culliver is able to contribute on a weekly basis.
Colts WR Phillip Dorsett On Trade Block?
Colts wide receiver Phillip Dorsett is reportedly on the trade block, according to Michael Lombardi of the Ringer (Twitter link). Appearing on The Rich Eisen Show, Lombardi indicated Indianapolis is willing to deal Dorsett, noting any club “can have him if [it] wants him.”
That Dorsett can be had via trade should come as no surprise, as he has no connection to the current Indianapolis regime. Dorsett, 24, was selected 29th overall in the 2015 draft by former general manager Ryan Grigson, so current GM Chris Ballard may try to recoup some sort of draft capital for Dorsett before the season begins. Indeed, PFR listed Dorsett among its Top 30 NFL Trade Candidates last week.
Despite his draft billing, Dorsett is currently working behind 2016 undrafted free agent Chester Rogers, and may also be buried behind free agent addition Kamar Aiken, meaning he’s possibly fifth on the Colts’ wideout depth chart. Based on counting statistics, Dorsett has certainly been a disappointment, as he’s averaged just 26 receptions and 276 yards per season through two years in the NFL. Despite playing nearly three-quarters of Indy’s snaps a season ago, Dorsett managed only 33 catches.
Underlying metrics, however, indicate Dorsett could have more to offer on the field. Last year, Dorsett ranked 25th in Football Outsiders’ DVOA, which means Dorsett was relatively effective on a per-play basis (even if his overall production wasn’t there). Among receivers with at least 25 receptions, Dorsett finished eighth with 16 yards per catch, and also registered four receptions of 50 yards or more, suggesting he can be a successful deep threat.
Dorsett has two years remaining on his rookie contract, and his $1.175MM base salary for 2017 is fully guaranteed. An acquiring club would also take on Dorsett’s 2018 base salary ($1.094MM) and roster bonus ($450K), but neither figure is guaranteed.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/19/17
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: OL Marquis Lucas
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived from IR: S Cedric Thompson
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: G Terran Vaughn
- Waived/injured: LB Deiontrez Mount
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DB Carlos Davis
- Waived: WR C.J. Germany, WR Justin Thomas
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: CB Mariel Cooper
- Waived: FB Quayvon Hicks
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DB Darrius Sims
- Waived/injured DE Kourtnei Brown
Colts Did Not Go Hard After Zuttah
- The Colts did not pursue Jeremy Zuttah as hard as the Ravens did, Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star (Twitter links) hears. The Colts also had a need for Zuttah in the wake of Ryan Kelly‘s injury, but their offer apparently didn’t measure up to Baltimore’s.
Colts C Ryan Kelly To Have Foot Surgery
Some injuries can be healed with Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Unfortunately, the R.I.C.E method did not work for Colts center Ryan Kelly. His broken foot will require surgery, coach Chuck Pagano told reporters on Thursday morning.
Kelly will likely be sidelined for 6-8 weeks, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears. Given that timeframe, he’ll likely be placed on injured reserve and designated for return midseason, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
[RELATED: Colts Interested In Jeremy Zuttah]
Kelly was selected with the No. 18 overall pick in last year’s draft and went on to start in every game for the Colts last year. This season, he was being counted on to reprise that role.
The injury could motivate the Colts to turn to the free agent market. The Colts have been in talks with Jeremy Zuttah and they were working to line up a visit for this week. If Zuttah opts to return to Baltimore instead, the Colts could also consider free agent options like former Pro Bowler Nick Mangold.
For now, undrafted free agent addition Deyshawn Bond profiles as the team’s likely starter in Kelly’s absence. Adam Redmond, a 2016 UDFA, could also push for the job.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/15/17
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived from injured reserve: RB/WR B.J. Daniels
Carolina Panthers
- Waived from injured reserve: S Dean Marlowe
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: CB Dejaun Butler, CB John Green, TE M.J. McFarland, WR Corey Washington
- Waived: OL Ruben Carter, WR Javontee Herndon, LB Lucas Wacha
- Waived/injured: TE Connor Hamlett
Detroit Lions
- Placed on injured reserve: DE Kerry Hyder, RB Mike James
- Waived: G Matt Rotheram
- Waived from injured reserve: WR Ryan Spadola
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: DL Shaneil Jenkins
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR Justice Liggins
- Waived/injured: RB Dalton Crossan
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed LB Kyle Coleman
- Waived/injured: LB Mike Moore
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: T Sean Hickey, WR Rashad Lawrence
- Waived: T Kwayde Miller
- Waived/injured: WR Francis Owusu
- Waived from injured reserve: WR Jordan Westerkamp