Indianapolis Colts Release Defensive Tackle Art Jones

Defensive tackle Art Jones became a casualty of the Indianapolis Colts’ new front office regime on Friday, as he was released after three seasons with the team.

After playing in just 16 games over 3 seasons, the Indianapolis Colts have released defensive tackle Art Jones.

In doing so, the team frees up $5.15 million of cap space for this year while eating $2.2 million of dead cap space.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the news Friday about the Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle:

Art Jones himself confirmed the news a little bit later:

This is a good move for both Art Jones and the Indianapolis Colts.

Clearly, the Colts are moving in a different direction and while it always stinks to have dead cap space, it’s not a huge amount compared to the savings the Colts will receive both this year ($5.15 million) and next year ($6.25 million).

The release marks the end of another Ryan Grigson failed acquisition.  The numbers are just ludicrous as the Indianapolis Star’s Zak Keefer reports via Twitter:

Hindsight is always 20/20.  I actually liked the addition of Jones at the time.  He was a 320-pound run stopper who had connections to Chuck Pagano through his Baltimore coaching days.  Jones amassed 120 tackles in 46 games with the Ravens from 2010-13.

As a result of his production, then-general manager Grigson signed Jones to a five-year, $33 million contract, with $10 million guaranteed.  To say he underperformed his contract is an understatement.

Injuries plagued Jones in his first year with the Colts.  He played in nine games and recorded just 23 tackles.  He then missed the entire 2015 season due to injury.  In addition, he was suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, which carried over to the first 4 games of 2016.

He was on thin ice to say the least.  His 2016 season ended when he was placed on injured reserve due to a groin injury.

With the release of Jones, the Indianapolis Colts now have second-year player Hassan Ridgeway and 2012 undrafted free agent T.Y. McGill as their only defensive tackles on the roster. The two have totaled five starts in their career.

Ridgeway would appear to have more upside.  The former Texas Longhorn was drafted in the fourth round in 2016.  He was viewed as a top defensive tackle prospect in last year’s draft, rated as high as a second-round prospect.

He has lots of power and strength, but one of his draft concerns was his conditioning.

Some will wonder if Chris Ballard has a move up his sleeve to bring in another defensive tackle.  Johnathan Hankins, one of the top free agents this offseason, is still available.  While he could end up back with the Giants, he would be a nice (but expensive) get for the Indianapolis Colts.

He has started 41 games over the last three seasons with 78 tackles and 10 sacks.  He is also only 24 years old.

Next: Colts Expected To Sign Kamar Aiken

The Indianapolis Colts roster continues to get younger.  Jones was 30 years old, thus bringing down the average age of the Colts roster.