R.J. McIntosh

Colts Cut Roster Down To 53

By Ely Allen | at August 30, 2022 9:07 pm

Indianapolis has made a couple headline moves, but, most notably, succeeded in trimming their roster down to 53 players today. Here are the moves that helped them get down to the limit today:

Activated from active/physically unable to perform:

• LB Shaquille Leonard

Released:

• WR Keke Coutee
• T Dennis Kelly
• LB Brandon King
• RB Phillip Lindsay (story)
• DT R.J. McIntosh
• S Will Redmond

Waived:

• DT Curtis Brooks
• CB Anthony Chesley
• DE Kameron Cline
• QB Jack Coan
• DB Marcel Dabo
• WR Ethan Fernea
• WR DeMichael Harris
• TE Michael Jacobson
• TE Nikola Kalinic
• T Jordan Murray
• WR Samson Nacua
• RB D’Vonte Price
• LB Forrest Rhyne
• G Josh Seltzner
• LB James Skalski
• CB Marvell Tell III
• T Ryan Van Demark
• LB Sterling Weatherford
• CB Chris Wilcox
• DT Chris Williams
• RB Ty’Son Williams

Placed on IR:

• P Rigoberto Sanchez
• S Armani Watts (story)

The biggest stories of the day for the Colts come in the linebacking corps. In addition to adding star linebacker Leonard off the PUP, Indianapolis acquired second-year player Grant Stuard in a trade with Tampa Bay today. Stuard was primarily a special teamer with the Buccaneers last year, playing in every game as a rookie. He’ll go from one stacked linebacker room to another, likely backing up Leonard upon his arrival.

The Colts have quite an interesting rookie class. A sixth-round defensive tackle, Brooks is the only drafted rookie not to make the final roster besides sixth-round tight end Andrew Ogletree who will start his NFL career on injured reserve. None of this is spectacular, though. The interesting part is that Indianapolis will roster four undrafted rookies to start the 2022 NFL season.

Former SMU safety Trevor Denbow finds his way onto the initial 53 after leading the NFL this preseason with five special teams tackles. Cornerback Dallis Flowers can also thank his special teams value as his athleticism was supplemented by a 53-yard kickoff return to help him make the team out of Pitt State. Former Cornhusker JoJo Domann joins Leonard and Stuard in the linebackers room. And the French-Fries offensive line combination stays alive as Wesley French makes the final roster out of Western Michigan.

There were a number of other players who have special teams’ ability to thank for their roster spot in addition to Denbow and Flowers. Running back Deon Jackson played on all punt/kick return/coverage units for the Colts last year, earning him a tightly contested roster spot over Lindsay and Williams. Cornerback Tony Brown was the team’s highest-graded special teams player in the preseason, according to Pro Football Focus, and safety Rodney Thomas II played the third-most special teams snaps on the team.

Finally, the biggest performer of the Colts’ preseason was likely quarterback Sam Ehlinger whose stellar preseason led Indianapolis to roster three quarterbacks going into the season. The former-Longhorn’s impressive preseason play helped him earn a spot on the initial roster despite the Colts already rostering starter Matt Ryan and one of the league’s top backup quarterbacks in Nick Foles.

The Colts will have the opportunity tomorrow to announce any moves to form their 16-man practice squad. Players cut today who have not vested will have to clear waivers before returning to the team.