Colts Final Roster Cuts: 53 man roster set

Aug 18, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Caesar Rayford (49) sacks New York Giants quarterback Ryan Nassib (9) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Indianapolis Colts defeat the New York Giants 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

Today, the Indianapolis Colts made their final roster cuts and got the roster down to 53. Those that were reported to be cut were:

Daniel Adongo
Larry Asante
Thomas Austin
Emmett Cleary
Marshay Green
Lawrence Guy
Chandler Harnish
Robert Hughes
Ben Ijalana
Dominique Jones
Jeremy Kelley
Shawn Loiseau
Josh McNary
Drake Nevis
Sheldon Price
Jabin Sambrano
Lanear Sampson
Monte Simmons
Bradley Sowell
Daxton Swanson
Martin Tevaseu
Lee Ziemba

Among these cuts that I was surprised with were Larry Asante and Dominique Jones being cut. Both I felt earned their roster spots with consistent play throughout the preseason. Jones looked like a serviceable tight end to have for depth due to the injuries of Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen. Larry Asante also had himself a great preseason and a great game Thursday against the Bengals in which I raved about him here.

Drake Nevis also had himself a good preseason but had been riddled with injuries his two year career for the Colts. He was also more of a 4-3 defensive lineman and since the Colts run a hybrid 3-4, his usage could have been limited.

Ben Ijalana, who the Colts traded up to get in the 2nd round of the 2011 draft was also cut. He played well in the 2nd half of games in the preseason but as Nevis before him, injuries and two consecutive trips to IR in both seasons made him an unreliable backup offensive lineman.

Chandler Harnish who looked very impressive at training camp didn’t have it translate into preseason play. He could be relegated to the practice squad which would be an optimal place for him. The Colts will only have two quarterbacks on the active roster in Andrew Luck and Matt Hasselbeck.

Aug 25, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Griff Whalen (84) runs off the field against the Washington Redskins during the third quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Paul Frederiksen-USA TODAY Sports

On a positive note, Kerwynn Williams, Griff Whalen, and Caesar Rayford all made the team. Williams has shown his talents running theball in a big way in getting into the open space and running for big gains. He is also skilled in the return game as well. Griff Whalen played well in the slot in the preseason and could be a slot threat for the Colts as Darrius Heyward-Bey and T.Y Hilton are not slot receivers. It also helps he caught passes for Andrew Luck at Stanford. Caesar Rayford was a sack machine in the preseason for the Colts. He got to the quarterback for sacks in the first three preseason games and raised some eyebrows. On a team that didn’t address the pass rush in the off-season, Rayford looks to help assist in plugging the whole in possibly the biggest glaring hole in this Colts defense.

Without further ado, this is your 53 man roster for the Colts

QB: Andrew Luck, Matt Hasselbeck

RB: Ahmad Bradshaw, Vick Ballard, Donald Brown, Kerwynn Williams

FB: Stanley Havili

WR: Reggie Wayne, Darrius Heyward-Bey, T.Y Hilton, Griff Whalen, David Reed

TE: Coby Fleener, Dwayne Allen. Justice Cunningham

OT: Anthony Castonzo, Gosder Cherilus, Joe Reitz, Jeff Linkenbach

OG: Donald Thomas, Hugh Thorton, Mike McGlynn

C: Samson Satele, Khaled Holmes

DE: Cory Redding, Ricky Jean Francois, Montari Hughes, Ricardo Mathews

NT: Aubrayo Franklin, Josh Chapman, Fili Moala

OLB: Robert Mathis, Erik Walden, Bjoern Werner, Caesar Rayford, Mario Harvey

ILB: Jerrell Freeman, Kelvin Sheppard, Pat Angerer, Kavell Conner

CB: Vontae Davis, Greg Toler, Darius Butler, Cassius Vaughn, Josh Gordy

S: Antoine Bethea, Laron Landry, Joe Lefeged, Delano Howell, Mario Harvey

K: Adam Vinatieri

P: Pat McAfee

LS: Matt Overton

NOTES

This is not an accurate depth chart as the Colts haven’t released one yet.
Lavon Brazill will be serving a four game suspension at the start of Week 1. During this time, he isn’t part of the 53 man roster

With the regular season starting this Thursday and the Colts game being a mere eight days away, all the focus is now on the visiting Oakland Raiders. Time for football!

GO COLTS!!!

Home/Colts News