Transactions: No Time to Celebrate! Colts Make Moves
Even though the Colts came off a convincing 40-24 win over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, the team got right back to business on Tuesday. The team announced that it activated safety LaRon Landry, who is returning from a 4 game PED suspension, as well as back-up offensive tackle right Xavier Nixon (IR-DTR).
Aug 23, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts strong safety LaRon Landry (30) reacts after a play against the New Orleans Saints at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
Landry was eligible to return for Monday night’s game, but the team opted to wait until the Tuesday deadline to officially active him. Whether this is because of conditioning, performance, or payment issues remains unclear, but he’ll be available for the team’s Week 11 game against the New England Patriots after this week’s bye. His replacement at safety, Sergio Brown, has played well in his absence, so it’s a situation well-worth monitoring.
The team also announced that it has waived fullback Stanley Havili off PUP, as well as back-ups: CB Jalil Brown and OT Jamon Meredith. Havili started in 8 games for the Colts at fullback last season and had 1 receiving touchdown.
Havili was officially waived because of a failed physical. However, he didn’t have much of a role anymore even if he had been fully recovered. The Colts had already been using Jack Doyle in Havili’s old “H-Back” role, and he has played the role quite well when given the opportunity. When you factor in special teams and overall versatility, it became an easy decision to make for the Colts’ brass.
Brown (2 games) and Meredith (4 games) saw limited action, as they were used primarily on special teams and as positional depth. However, Brown’s release is intriguing only that it means that undrafted rookie free agent Dewey McDonald out of small-school California (PA) has stuck on the roster as the team’s 5th safety.
Remember that McDonald was activated from the team’s practice squad shortly after Landry’s September 29th suspension. Rather than waive him, the team has elected to keep him over an extra cornerback in Jalil Brown. It’s not a headlining roster move, but it means that the Colts have liked what they’ve seen so far on special teams from McDonald and in the locker room. To be honest, it’s a nice story, and he’s looked pretty good as a special teams gunner too.
The team also waived WR Chandler Jones from the practice squad and signed WR Eric Thomas in a corresponding move.