Colts Waive Backup QB Ryan Lindley

The Indianapolis Colts announced on Tuesday that the team has waived backup quarterback Ryan Lindley.

Signed prior to the team’s regular season finale, the 4-year veteran completed 6 of 10 passes for 58 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and a passer rating of 109.6 in a victory against the Tennessee Titans–platooning with fellow quarterback Josh Freeman under center.

While Lindley’s Colts stint was very short-lived to say the least, one could argue that he had one of the most meaningful wins of the season.

Specifically, it allowed the Colts to finish 8-8 on the season and may have saved head coach Chuck Pagano‘s job all things considered.

Lindley had originally signed a 2-year deal with the Colts during the last week of the regular season. However, he was due a $675K cap hit in 2016, and the team deemed it was better served allocating the roster spot and cap space elsewhere.

It makes sense too, as starting quarterback Andrew Luck will be returning, and the team still has other backups such as Matt Hasselbeck (*should he re-sign), Josh Freeman, and Stephen Morris–the latter two, who like Lindley–were added on 2-year deals late in the season respectively.

It’s worth noting that another veteran backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurt was only signed to a one-year deal and after finishing the year on season-ending injured reserve, is unlikely to return.