Colts Expected To Open Contract Talks With Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor After Season
Despite a disappointing loss to the Chiefs in Week 12, this season has been a success for the Colts. They’re 8-3, atop the AFC South, and in the mix for the No. 1 seed in the conference. An offense that ranks first in the NFL in scoring and second in yardage has been among the primary reasons for the Colts’ resurgence.
The offseason signing of former Giants and Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones has worked out brilliantly for the Colts. They bought low on Jones, giving him a one-year, $14MM guarantee. The 28-year-old has rewarded the Colts with a career-best campaign.
Once again a pending free agent, Jones is now a candidate to cash in on a much larger contract in the coming months. It’s already known the Colts plan to make Jones a long-term offer. Talks are not expected to start until the offseason, though, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic and Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.
It’s a similar situation with running back Jonathan Taylor, per Jonathan Jones, who writes that “it’s crickets when it comes to money talks” with Taylor and his QB. The Colts aren’t in immediate danger of losing Taylor, who’s vying for a rare MVP win for a running back. Taylor’s under wraps through 2026 on the three-year, $42MM extension he signed in October 2023.
At the time of signing, Taylor ranked third among RBs in average annual value and fourth in fully guaranteed money ($19.35MM). He’s now fourth in AAV and sixth in full guarantees.
If the Colts and Taylor pursue a new pact during the offseason, he could accompany the Eagles’ Saquon Barkley in the vicinity of $20MM per year. Barkley leads the position in AAV ($20.6MM) and full guarantees ($36MM) after securing a two-year, $41.2MM extension last March. The soon-to-be 27-year-old Taylor, a two-time Pro Bowler, may push for a similar payday off what has been a spectacular season and overall run in Indianapolis.
While a fresh deal for Taylor should put him near the top of the league at his position, there’s still skepticism toward Jones after he flamed out on a big contract with the Giants. They handed Jones a four-year, $160MM extension in March 2023, only to waive him last November.
Jones has cooled off since a hot start to the season, and he has particularly struggled when defenses have pressured him in recent weeks, Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star details. The Colts’ coaches are still confident in him, though, according to Erickson.
The approach the Colts’ Chris Ballard-led front office takes on a potential Jones deal could be “heavily dependent” on how he and the team finish 2025, Jonathan Jones writes. The Colts took a home run swing before the Nov. 4 trade deadline in sending two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to the Jets for cornerback Sauce Gardner. Knowing Indianapolis won’t be able to spend a first-rounder on a QB in the near future could give Jones leverage in contract talks after the season.
For their part, the Colts don’t necessarily have to make a multiyear commitment. Placing the $46.1MM franchise tag on Jones would be costly, but it’s an option that would give the Colts another year to evaluate him without locking in for the long haul, James Boyd of The Athletic notes.
Jones’ future will continue serving as an interesting storyline heading into the offseason. In the meantime, he and the Colts will face a brutal season-ending schedule consisting of all playoff contenders. Four of their last six games are against division rivals Houston and Jacksonville. If Jones can help fend them off en route to the Colts’ first division title since 2014, a second nine-figure contract could be within reach.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/25/25
Tuesday’s practice squad updates from around the NFL…
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: QB Sean Clifford
Detroit Lions
- Signed: S Erick Hallett
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: CB Cameron Mitchell
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DL Boogie Basham
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: OL Wyatt Bowles
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LB Jimmy Ciarlo
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: CB Shemar Bartholomew
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Bill Murray
- Released: RB Jonathan Ward
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Samori Toure, RB Ian Wheeler, K Cade York (story)
- Released: WR Jha’Quan Jackson, LB Eku Leota
New York Giants
- Signed: CB Myles Purchase
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DE Anthony Goodlow, WR Cornell Powell
- Released: DB Daequan Hardy, LB Mark Robinson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OT Chandler Brewer
- Released: WR Kristian Wilkerson
Colts Place WR Ashton Dulin On IR
Ashton Dulin suffered a hamstring injury in Week 12. The veteran receiver/special teamer will be sidelined for a notable period as a result. 
Dulin has been placed on injured reserve, per a team announcement. He will thus miss at least the next four games. Dulin’s absence will deal a blow to Indianapolis’ special teams while also leaving the AFC South leaders thin in terms of receiver depth.
Special teams have been a strong point for the Colts in 2025. Dulin serves as their top gunner for punt coverage, so being without him for an extended period will be notable. The 28-year-old has spent his entire career in Indianapolis, and he missed the entire 2023 campaign due to an ACL tear. Dulin managed to play 15 games last season, though, and he landed a new deal as a result.
The former UDFA inked a two-year, $6.5MM pact in March to stay in place. Dulin secured $2.94MM guaranteed, a similar commitment to the one made by the Colts on his last contract. So far in 2025, Dulin has remained a rotational presence on offense with a 20% snap share, topping 100 receiving yards for the third time in a season. The NFL’s first and only Malone alum has also continued to operate as a regular presence on special teams, something he has done dating back to his rookie season.
To fill Dulin’s roster spot, the Colts have signed safety George Odum from the practice squad to the active roster. A veteran of 105 regular season games, Odum has yet to play this season. If he suits up over the coming weeks, however, he will no doubt do so on special teams as the Colts look to compensate for Dulin’s absence.
Colts DC Lou Anarumo Expected To Draw HC Interest From Giants
Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is expected to draw interest from the Giants’ regarding their head coaching vacancy, per The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson.
Anarumo, 59, is one of the most respected defensive coaches in the NFL. He began his career with the Dolphins in 2012, serving as their defensive backs coach until 2017 with a brief stint as interim defensive coordinator in 2015. After a year as the Giants’ DBs coach in 2018, Anarumo was hired by the Bengals in 2019 under incoming head coach Zac Taylor.
Anarumo turned a Cincinnati defense that ranked 30th in points and 32nd in yards allowed into a respectable one within a few seasons. However, the unit only ranked among the league’s top-10 in either category during his tenure, though that could also be attributed to the team’s poor draft-and-develop record with defensive players. After the Bengals regressed to the 25th-ranked defense in 2024, Anarumo was fired.
The veteran coach quickly drew DC interest and interviewed with the Colts and the Falcons. He was hired in Indianapolis and has been a major part of their 8-3 start. Though the offense has been the primary driver of the Colts’ success, their defense has more than held up their end of the bargain. The Bengals, meanwhile, are not just the league’s worst defense; they are a historically bad unit.
Anarumo’s success in Indianapolis will likely get him on the radar for open head coaching jobs during the 2026 hiring cycle, including the Giants’ vacancy. He has past experience in New York under the same ownership and a relationship with general manager Joe Schoen. The two overlapped in Miami from 2012 to 2016, where Schoen rose through the scouting department to eventually become the director of player personnel. The familiarity with Schoen as well as Giants owner and president John Mara could certainly be a factor in getting Anarumo an interview.
When asked about his interest in a head coaching position on Tuesday, Anarumo said (via Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star) that he would be lying if he said he did not want a top job, but added that his focus was on the Colts’ next opponent.
It will be interesting to see if New York pursues a defensive-minded coach. They have not hired a former defensive coordinator as a head coach since Bill Parcells in 1983.
Colts’ Alec Pierce In Line For Strong Market
Entering the 2025 season, Alec Pierce appeared to be in line for a departure once his rookie contract expired. A new Colts deal is now something to watch for, though. 
Indianapolis’ 9-2 start to the season has included a stronger-than-expected showing on offense. Pierce has played a major role in that regard, with the vertical threat showcasing a more varied receiver skillset along the way. As a pending free agent, his play down the stretch will be worth watching closely.
The Colts included Adonai Mitchell in the Sauce Gardner trade. As a result, retaining Pierce for 2026 and beyond would now be more feasible. The 25-year-old is currently on track to be one of the most in-demand wideouts on the open market given his performances to date this season. No thought is currently being given – at least publicly – to Pierce’s financial situation, however.
“All that’s on my mind is winning games, winning the division, get in the playoffs, make it to the Super Bowl,” the former second-rounder said when asked about a potential extension (via Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star).
As Erickson notes, the Colts have a history of working out big-money deals during a season. He writes it is therefore “not out of the question” a new Pierce accord could be agreed to before the end of the campaign. Doing so would prevent the Cincinnati product from testing free agency during his first opportunity to do so.
Erickson echoes a previous report that $20MM per year could represent the floor for a Pierce extension. The team’s skill-position group is led by fellow receiver Michael Pittman Jr., whose 2024 extension averages $23.33MM annually. Tight end Tyler Warren has impressed during his rookie season, but no long-term deal in his case will be possible until after the 2027 campaign. Running back Jonathan Taylor is under contract for next year, although without any of his base salary guaranteed he could be on the list of targets for an extension in the near future.
Of course, Indianapolis’ financial planning will revolve in large part on quarterback Daniel Jones. A major raise is in store in that case, and the Colts are expected to make a long-term commitment. Regardless of what happens on that front, Pierce – who is once again leading the league in yards per catch (20.9) – remains on track for a lucrative second contract. It will be interesting to see if team and player pursue an agreement soon or elect to wait until the spring.
2025 Injured Reserve Return Tracker
The 2024 offseason brought a change in how teams could construct their 53-man rosters while retaining flexibility with injured players. Clubs were permitted to attach return designations to two players (in total) placed on IR or an NFI list before setting their initial rosters.
In prior years, anyone placed on IR before a team set its initial 53-man roster could not be activated in-season. All August 26 IR- or NFI-return designations, however, already count against teams’ regular-season limit of eight. Teams will be tasked with determining which players injured in-season will factor into activation puzzles as the year progresses.
All players designated for return on August 26 became eligible to be activated beginning in Week 5, though any player placed on IR after a team set its initial 53 has not been designated for return and therefore does not yet count toward a club’s eight-activation limit. Playoff teams will receive two additional injury activations once the postseason begins.
Here is how the 32 teams’ activation puzzles look for Week 17:
Arizona Cardinals
Reverted to season-ending IR:
Designated for return:
Eligible for activation:
- S Joey Blount
- WR Simi Fehoko
- P Blake Gillikin (story)
- G Will Hernandez (story)
- DL Justin Jones (story)
- QB Kyler Murray (return not expected)
- LB Mack Wilson (story)
Activated:
- CB Garrett Williams (Week 9)
- G Hayden Conner (Week 13)
- T Christian Jones (Week 15)
- DL L.J. Collier (Week 17)
Activations remaining: 4
Atlanta Falcons
Reverted to season-ending IR:
Designated for return:
- CB Clark Phillips (12/24)
- DL Sam Roberts (12/26)
Eligible for activation:
- DL Zach Harrison
- OLB DeAngelo Malone (story)
- OLB Bralen Trice (story)
Activated:
- DL Ta’Quon Graham (Week 7)
- S Jordan Fuller (Week 8)
- LB Divine Deablo (Week 12)
Activations remaining: 4
Baltimore Ravens
Designated for return (Aug. 26):
- OLB Adisa Isaac
- WR Dayton Wade
Eligible for activation:
- DL Taven Bryan (story)
- RB Justice Hill (story)
- DL Broderick Washington (story)
Activated:
- OLB Tavius Robinson (Week 15)
- LB Jay Higgins (Week 17)
Activations remaining: 4
Buffalo Bills
Eligible for activation:
- S Damar Hamlin (story)
- DT Ed Oliver (playoff return in play)
- S Taylor Rapp (unlikely to return this season)
- WR Curtis Samuel (story)
- CB Dorian Strong (story)
Activated:
- CB Maxwell Hairston (Week 8)
- DT T.J. Sanders (Week 11)
- OL Tylan Grable (Week 13)
- WR Mecole Hardman (Week 16)
Activations remaining: 4
Carolina Panthers
Designated for return:
- WR David Moore (12/17)
- G Robert Hunt (12/24)
Activated:
- DE LaBryan Ray (Week 5)
- WR Jalen Coker (Week 7)
- C Austin Corbett (Week 7)
- G Chandler Zavala (Week 9)
Activations remaining: 4
Chicago Bears
Eligible for activation:
- T Kiran Amegadjie
- RB Roschon Johnson
- T Braxton Jones (story)
Activated:
- RB Travis Homer (Week 7)
- DE Austin Booker (Week 9)
- LB Amen Ogbongbemiga (Week 10)
- CB Kyler Gordon (Week 13)
- CB Jaylon Johnson (Week 13)
- LB Tremaine Edmunds (Week 16)
- OL Luke Newman (Week 17)
Activations remaining: 1
Cincinnati Bengals
Designated for return:
- C Matt Lee (12/24)
Eligible for activation:
- CB Marco Wilson
Activated:
- G Lucas Patrick (Week 7)
- DE Cedric Johnson (Week 9)
- TE Mike Gesicki (Week 12)
- S Daijahn Anthony (Week 13)
- QB Joe Burrow (Week 13)
- LB Shaka Heyward (Week 15)
- DE Shemar Stewart (Week 16)
Activations remaining: 1
Cleveland Browns
Designated for return (Aug. 26):
- LB Winston Reid
Eligible for activation:
- WR DeAndre Carter (story)
Activated:
Activations remaining: 6
Dallas Cowboys
Designated for return (Aug. 26):
Designated for return:
- RB Phil Mafah (12/17)
Eligible for activation:
- OL Ajani Cornelius
- OL Trevor Keegan (story)
- LB Jack Sanborn (story)
- S Juanyeh Thomas
Activated:
- CB Caelen Carson (Week 7)
- WR Jonathan Mingo (Week 8)
- C Cooper Beebe (Week 9)
- S Malik Hooker (Week 11)
- DT Perrion Winfrey (Week 12)
- CB Trevon Diggs (Week 16)
Activations remaining: 1
Denver Broncos
Designated for return (Aug. 26):
- LB Drew Sanders
Eligible for activation:
- RB J.K. Dobbins (playoff return in play)
- TE Lucas Krull (story)
- OL Matt Peart (story)
- LB Karene Reid
Activated:
- DL Malcolm Roach (Week 6)
- LB Dre Greenlaw (Week 7)
- LB Garret Wallow (Week 11)
- G Ben Powers (Week 16)
Activations remaining: 3
Detroit Lions
Designated for return:
- OL Giovanni Manu (12/17)
Eligible for activation:
- LB Zach Cunningham
- OL Jamarco Jones
- TE Sam LaPorta (return unlikely)
Activated:
- S Daniel Thomas (Week 10)
- CB Khalil Dorsey (Week 12)
- CB D.J. Reed (Week 12)
- OLB Marcus Davenport (Week 13)
- TE Shane Zylstra (Week 15)
- G Christian Mahogany (Week 16)
Activations remaining: 2
Green Bay Packers
Eligible for activation:
- LB Nick Niemann
Activated:
- OL Jacob Monk (Week 7)
- WR Jayden Reed (Week 14)
- RB MarShawn Lloyd (Week 16)
- DL Brenton Cox (Week 16)
Activations remaining: 4
Houston Texans
Designated for return:
- CB Ajani Carter (12/23)
- WR Justin Watson (12/10)
Eligible for activation:
- DT Folorunso Fatukasi (story)
- CB Jaylin Smith (story)
- OLB Darrell Taylor (story)
Activated:
- S Jaylen Reed (Week 7)
- CB Jaylin Smith (Week 8)
- FB Jakob Johnson (Week 11)
- TE Cade Stover (Week 11)
- TE Harrison Bryant (Week 15)
Activations remaining: 3
Indianapolis Colts
Designated for return:
- QB Anthony Richardson (12/18)
Eligible for activation:
Activated:
- CB Jaylon Jones (Week 9)
- CB Charvarius Ward (Week 12)
- LB Jaylon Carlies (Week 14)
- DT DeForest Buckner (Week 16)
- WR Ashton Dulin (Week 17)
Activations remaining: 3
Jacksonville Jaguars
Designated for return (Aug. 26):
- LB Jalen McLeod (practice window opened 12/16)
Activated:
- TE Brenton Strange (Week 12)
- S Eric Murray (Week 14)
Activations remaining: 5
Kansas City Chiefs
Designated for return (Aug. 26):
- TE Jake Briningstool (practice window opened 12/17)
Activated:
- CB Nazeeh Johnson (Week 17)
Activations remaining: 6
Las Vegas Raiders
Designated for return:
- LT Kolton Miller (12/10)
Eligible for activation:
Activated:
- S Lonnie Johnson Jr. (Week 10)
- QB Aidan O’Connell (Week 12)
Activations remaining: 6
Los Angeles Chargers
Activated:
- OLB Khalil Mack (Week 7)
- ILB Denzel Perryman (Week 7)
- DT Da’Shawn Hand (Week 10)
- LS Josh Harris (Week 10)
- DB Deane Leonard (Week 10)
- RB Omarion Hampton (Week 14)
- RB Hassan Haskins (Week 14)
- DL Otito Ogbonnia (Week 14)
Activations remaining: 0
Los Angeles Rams
Designated for return:
- CB Roger McCreary (12/24)
Eligible for activation:
- RT Rob Havenstein (story)
- TE Tyler Higbee (story)
- S Quentin Lake (story)
Activated:
- CB Ahkello Witherspoon (Week 13)
- WR Tutu Atwell (Week 15)
Activations remaining: 6
Miami Dolphins
Designated for return (Aug. 26):
- K Jason Sanders (story)
Eligible for activation:
- S Jordan Colbert
- G James Daniels (story)
Activated:
- CB Jason Marshall (Week 9)
- RT Austin Jackson (Week 13)
- TE Darren Waller (Week 13)
- OL Andrew Meyer (Week 17)
Activations remaining: 3
Minnesota Vikings
Eligible for activation:
- CB Jeff Okudah
Activated:
- FB C.J. Ham (Week 5)
- OLB Tyler Batty (Week 7)
- LB Blake Cashman (Week 7)
- RB Aaron Jones (Week 8)
- C Ryan Kelly (Week 12)
- RB Ty Chandler (Week 17)
Activations remaining: 2
New England Patriots
Designated for return:
- DT Milton Williams (12/24)
Activated:
- LB Jahlani Tavai (Week 5)
Activations remaining: 7
New Orleans Saints
Eligible for activation:
- S Julian Blackmon (story)
- DT Vernon Broughton
- WR Trey Palmer (story)
Activated:
- DL John Ridgeway (Week 8)
- T Barry Wesley (Week 10)
Activations remaining: 6
New York Giants
Designated for return (Aug. 26):
- OL Joshua Ezeudu (practice window opened 12/10)
Designated for return:
- WR Beaux Collins (12/10)
- G Evan Neal (12/16)
Eligible for activation:
- LB Chris Board
- TE Thomas Fidone
- K Graham Gano (story)
- LB Micah McFadden (story)
Activated:
- K Graham Gano (Week 8)
- CB Rico Payton (Week 9)
- LB Darius Muasau (Week 15)
- CB Art Green (Week 16)
Activations remaining: 3
New York Jets
Eligible for activation:
- RB Braelon Allen (story)
- WR Josh Reynolds (story)
Activated:
- LB Ja’Markis Weston (Week 7)
- LB Quincy Williams (Week 8)
- LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball (Week 12)
- LB Cam Jones (Week 15)
Activations remaining: 4
Philadelphia Eagles
Reverted to season-ending IR:
- T Myles Hinton (practice window closed 12/10)
- G Willie Lampkin (practice window closed 11/27)
Eligible for activation:
- OLB Azeez Ojulari (story)
- T Cameron Williams
Activated:
- WR Darius Cooper (Week 8)
- OLB Nolan Smith (Week 10)
- CB Jakorian Bennett (Week 11)
- S Marcus Epps (Week 14)
- LS Charley Hughlett (Week 15)
Activations remaining: 2
Pittsburgh Steelers
Reverted to season-ending IR:
- CB Donte Kent (practice window closed 12/24)
- DB Cory Trice (practice window closed 11/19)
Eligible for activation:
- S DeShon Elliott (story)
- QB Skylar Thompson
Activated:
- LB Malik Harrison (Week 9)
- QB Will Howard (Week 11)
Activations remaining: 5
San Francisco 49ers
Activated:
- DL Kevin Givens (Week 7)
- TE George Kittle (Week 7)
- OL Spencer Burford (Week 8)
- G Ben Bartch (Week 10)
- DE Yetur Gross-Matos (Week 16)
Activations remaining: 3
Seattle Seahawks
Eligible for activation:
- RB George Holani
- WR Tory Horton (story)
- LB Chazz Surratt
Activated:
- FB Robbie Ouzts (Week 9)
- G Christian Haynes (Week 11)
- S Julian Love (Week 14)
- DT Jarran Reed (Week 14)
- TE Eric Saubert (Week 15)
- C Jalen Sundell (Week 15)
- WR Dareke Young (Week 15)
Activations remaining: 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Designated for return:
- DL Calijah Kancey (12/24)
Eligible for activation:
- TE Ko Kieft
Activated:
- RT Luke Goedeke (Week 10)
- WR Mike Evans (Week 15)
- WR Jalen McMillan (Week 15)
- S Rashad Wisdom (Week 16)
Activations remaining: 4
Tennessee Titans
Designated for return:
- LB Ali Gaye (12/17)
- OLB Oluwafemi Oladejo (12/17)
- WR Bryce Oliver (12/17)
Eligible for activation:
- OL Blake Hance
- CB L’Jarius Sneed (story)
Activated:
- RB Tyjae Spears (Week 5)
- DT T’Vondre Sweat (Week 7)
- S Mike Brown (Week 11)
- RB Kalel Mullings (Week 12)
Activations remaining: 4
Washington Commanders
Eligible for activation:
Activated:
- CB Jonathan Jones (Week 7)
- S Will Harris (Week 13)
- DE Drake Jackson (Week 14)
- WR Noah Brown (Week 14)
Activations remaining: 4
Colts Hoping DT DeForest Buckner Returns This Season
The Colts are optimistic that defensive tackle DeForest Buckner can recover from his neck injury in time to play again this season, per FOX59’s Mike Chappell.
Buckner went down in Week 9 and landed on injured reserve shortly after. The exact nature of his injury was not disclosed, but neck issues are always cause for concern. He has been rehabbing at the team’s facility in Indianapolis with the goal of returning this season, though the team has not issued a timeline.
Buckner, 31, was having another strong year anchoring the Colts defense with 42 sacks, four sacks, and nine tackles in nine games. He has been exceptionally consistent over his decade in the NFL. In each of the last seven years, he has put up at least 6.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss. However, this is his second year in a row with a stint on injured reserve. He returned from an early absence in 2024 with per-game numbers that line up with the rest of his career. The Colts will be hoping for a similar result this year to give a late-season boost to their defense that could maintain their contender status heading into the postseason.
In the meantime, Neville Gallimore and Adetomiwa Adebawore will both fill Buckner’s snaps along the defensive line. It will be hard for either one to replicate his impact, but both have put in solid efforts. Gallimore has 2.5 sacks in 10 games after zero in 2024 and just four in the four years before that, and Adebawore stepped up with a career-high five tackles in Week 10.
However, having an interior disruptor of Buckner’s caliber could be crucial in the postseason. The Colts are well-positioned to qualify, but getting Buckner on the field might keep them from turning into a pumpkin in the first round.
Colts Activate CB Charvarius Ward From IR
Indianapolis is getting a major defensive piece back ahead of a crucial Week 12 showdown with the Chiefs. The Colts announced that they have activated cornerback Charvarius Ward from IR.
After the Colts opened Ward’s practice window on Wednesday, he’ll play Sunday for the first time since he suffered a concussion in warmups in Week 6. It was the second concussion of the year for Ward, who has missed six of 10 games during the Colts’ 8-2 start.
Ward, 29, revealed earlier this week that he had doubts that he’d play again after his latest concussion (via James Boyd of The Athletic). However, Ward said he’s back to normal, no longer experiencing dizziness, and “ready” to return.
Ward, whom the Colts signed to a three-year, $60MM contract last March, has held his own over four starts this season. The former Chief and 49er has recorded 13 tackles and three passes defensed. Pro Football Focus rated him as the game’s second-best corner before he went on IR.
With Ward unavailable at the time, the Colts pulled off a stunning trade with the Jets for cornerback Sauce Gardner on Nov. 4. He debuted with the Colts in a Week 10 win over the Falcons, leading their corners in snaps. Mekhi Blackmon acted as the Colts’ other starting boundary CB, but Ward will now slot into that spot to give the Colts an imposing duo as they come off their bye. Along with Gardner and Ward, the Colts boast an outstanding nickel corner in Kenny Moore.
While the Colts are staring at a tough remaining slate featuring matchups with several playoff contenders, having the Gardner-Ward-Moore corner trio in place should be a significant advantage. The AFC South-leading Colts will enter Sunday third in the conference, but their hope is that a shutdown secondary will help propel them to the No. 1 spot and a first-round bye in the playoffs.
With Ward returning, the Colts waived cornerback Cameron Mitchell on Saturday. The 24-year-old began the season with the Browns, but they waived him in late September. Mitchell caught on with the Colts’ practice squad and wound up appearing in four games before they cut him. He played 100 defensive snaps and picked up five tackles with Indianapolis.
Colts Designate CB Charvarius Ward, LB Jaylon Carlies For Return
The AFC South-leading Colts are off to an 8-2 start and vying for the No. 1 seed in the conference. Their chances to secure the AFC’s top spot could increase if they welcome back corner Charvarius Ward and linebacker Jaylon Carlies in the coming weeks. The team announced that it has designated both players to return from IR.
The Colts will have 21 days to activate Ward and Carlies. Ward has been on the shelf with a concussion since Oct. 18, while Carlies hasn’t played at all this season as a result of an ankle injury. He landed on IR with a designation for return in August.
After spending three seasons in San Francisco, Ward joined the Colts on a three-year, $60MM contract last March. Two concussions have limited the former Pro Bowler to four games (all starts) this season, but he has thrived when healthy.
Pro Football Focus rated Ward as the league’s second-best cornerback at the time of his IR placement. The 29-year-old has recorded 13 tackles and three passes defensed this season.
Just under three weeks after they put Ward on IR, the Colts swung a blockbuster deal for Jets star corner Sauce Gardner at the Nov. 4 trade deadline. If Ward comes back this year, he will join Gardner and nickel corner Kenny Moore to comprise one of the league’s best trios on paper. Gardner led Colts CBs in snaps in his debut with the team in Week 10, a 31-25 win over the Falcons in Berlin. Mekhi Blackmon started opposite Gardner on the outside.
With the Colts coming off a bye, Ward could return as early as this Sunday for a highly anticipated matchup with the Chiefs – one of his former teams. Carlies may join him as a reinforcement.
A 2024 fifth-round pick from Missouri, where he played safety, Carlies started in six of 10 appearances and made 36 tackles as a rookie. Although Carlies missed seven games with a leg injury in 2024 and underwent offseason shoulder surgery, the Colts expected him to work as a full-time starter alongside Zaire Franklin this year. Carlies’ ankle issue has prevented him from factoring in, however.
Germaine Pratt, who signed with the Colts in October, has taken over as a starter next to Franklin. Even if Pratt continues to hold down that spot, Carlies’ comeback would give defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo another intriguing option.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/18/25
Here are the latest practice squad moves around the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OL Andrew Steuber
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: CB Brandon Codrington
Carolina Panthers
- Released: S Israel Mukuamu
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Dallas Cowboys
- Released: C Wesley French
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DE Viliami Fehoko, S George Odum, WR Eli Pancol, DT Chris Wormley
- Released: DE Tanoh Kpassagnon, TE Maximilian Mang, CB Troy Pride
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released: OT Leroy Watson
New England Patriots
- Signed: DL Fabien Lovett Sr.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: WR John Rhys Plumlee
- Released: S Jack Henderson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: RB Velus Jones, WR Brenden Rice
- Released: TE Marshall Lang, CB Mike Reid
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: QB Adrian Martinez
- Released: RB Sincere McCormick
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: S Marcus Banks
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Lance McCutcheon, WR Kristian Wilkerson
Reeves-Maybin, the current NFLPA president, spent most of his career with the Lions but was released this offseason. He worked out with the 49ers in October and now returns to the NFC North with the Bears.
Odum began his NFL career in Indianapolis and is now returning to the Colts after a three-year stint with the 49ers. He will likely provide depth on special teams when elevated from the practice squad.
Kpassagnon, meanwhile, will be looking for his third team this season. He signed in Chicago this offseason to reunite with Dennis Allen, the Bears’ defensive coordinator and Kpassagnon’s former coach in New Orleans. He played 89 snaps across five games in Chicago before he was released. He then signed with the Colts’ practice squad, but did not make any appearances in blue and white.
The Seahawks signed Jones to their practice squad, but he was released the following day in a health-related move, per ESPN’s Brady Henderson. Rice, the son of NFL legend Jerry Rice, will get to play for one of his father’s former teams. Jerry Rice played for the Seahawks during his last season in 2004.