Colts Begin First Round of Roster Cuts
By Evan Reller
The Indianapolis Colts have started making cuts to the active roster. All teams in the NFL have to get the roster from 90 to 75 by 4:00 PM EST on Tuesday.
The Colts have released 14 players so far, starting with guard Donald Thomas who wasn’t making enough progress in his recovery to contribute. The team will save $3.5 million by letting Thomas go as well. There haven’t been any surprises so far with this round of cuts, and it most a list of “who?” type players.
Here’s the full list so far:
Guard Harland Gunn, inside linebacker Nicklas Haag, outside linebacker Zack Hodges, tackle Tyler Hoover, wide receiver Ezell Ruffin, ILB Justin Shirk, tight end Justin Sinz, running back Abou Toure, center Brandon Vitabile.
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Wide receiver Ryan Lankford was on the team’s practice squad last year, but was also released. Defensive tackle Jeris Pendleton was at one point on the active roster back in 2013, but has now been released from the team.
The Colts also placed cornerback Tevin Mitchel on IR and waived-injured CB Donald Celiscar, who will revert to IR if he clears waivers.
That brings the total up to 14 players and the Colts will be releasing one more before tomorrow afternoon. The next round of cuts will be on Saturday when the team’s have to get from 75 players down to the final 53.
The Colts face the Bengals on Thursday, and it will be a last ditch effort for a few bubble players to make an impression. That said, it is highly likely that the team already knows who will and won’t be making the roster. If some players get extended time, extra looks, or more carries it likely means the coaches are giving them a chance.
We’ll have more on the team’s roster moves as they happen over the next day and week.