Colts Release Right Tackle Gosder Cherilus

The Indianapolis Colts announced on Sunday that they have released right tackle Gosder Cherilus. The Colts originally signed Cherilus in 2013 to a five year deal worth $35 million.

Cherilus was a solid addition to the roster in 2013 but played most of 2014 with injuries and was far lest effective. He was eventually placed on injured reserve just before the playoffs. Cherilus had to have his knee scoped after being placed on IR due to what was reported as groin and shoulder injuries. But this surgery added to his extensive history of knee injuries (including micro-fracture surgery).

Cherilus was reportedly on track to be back for camp, but GM Ryan Grigson had concerns about his recovery process due to his injury history. It is highly likely that Cherilus’ recovery wasn’t going the way the team had hoped and with just a week left until the players first training camp practice they decided to pull the plug.

Even after cutting him, Cherilus will cost the Colts $2.9 million this season and $5.8 in 2016. The team will save $8.1 million over the next two seasons by cutting him. Cutting him now as opposed to next season would imply that the Colts have a plan for the money they will be saving. This could also be a cost saving move to make room for the onslaught of re-signings from the 2012 draft class.

The Colts are expected to start second-year lineman Jack Mewhort at right tackle Mewhort took first team reps at the position during OTAs and was expected to do so through camp as Cherilus recovered. Mewhort played every position along the line when he was in college at Ohio State and had a good rookie year at left guard.

According to Kevin Bowen at Colts.com, he’s been prepared for this move for some time.

"“I made a big point of trying to pay attention to all the different coaching points last year when different guys were getting coached up, and still (do) now,” Mewhort said earlier this offseason. “If we are in (the meeting room), and there’s a coaching point for a left guard, for a right guard, I’m making sure that I’m writing it down.“It all goes back to (offensive line coach) Joe Gilbert telling us day one, ‘You all are going to be cross-training.’ You have to have your head on a swivel. You have to be paying attention to everything, so when your number gets called you can step in and do it at a high level.”"

The Colts have spent the better part of the last three seasons shuffling the offensive line due to poor play and injuries. Now heading into 2015, were already seeing the line change in a dramatic way.