Colts: Should Indy keep Marvell Tell or Andre Chachere on the roster?

The Indianapolis Colts might have pushed the issue of their secondary depth onto the backburner in training camp given the uncertainty at quarterback and injuries on the offensive line, but figuring out if players like Marvell Tell III and Andre Chachere will make the final 53-man roster still needs to be checked off.

Tell looked like a shoe-in to make the final cut, as the former USC defensive back brings speed, versatility, and aggressive hitting as a solid backup. After recorded 26 tackles in 13 games in 2019, Tell looked well on his way to realizing that potential.

However, the fact he opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic suggests his spot on the roster could be snatched away by one of the players who made an impression in his absence, and Chachere certainly fits the bill in that regard.

Brought to the Colts because of his versatility, Chachere has won over plenty of fans in camp due to his style of play and ability to break up passes, while Tell has been fairly pedestrian in the first few preseason games. Is there a chance that Tell ends up getting ditched for Chachere?

Will the Colts cut Marvell Tell III for Andre Chachere?

Chachere has been so impressive in the preseason, especially against the Vikings, that defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has been gushing about his potential. He even mentioned Chachere as a potential backup for Julian Blackmon when the standout safety was out.

After spending last season on Indianapolis’ practice squad following a few cups of coffee elsewhere, Chachere has more than earned his first opportunity to eat up tons of meaningful snaps in the NFL.

In addition to Chachere’s stock rising, Tell has struggled to stay healthy due to a groin injury. It may seem unfair to lose a roster spot because of things beyond your control, but Chachere has taken full advantage of the time that Tell has missed.

If Chachere has earned the respect of the coaching staff while making plays on the field, he should be considered for that final spot. With Xavier Rhodes, Kenny Moore, and Rock Ya-Sin locks, and with TJ Carrie and Isaiah Rodgers more than likely to make the roster, an Indy team that usually carries six cornerbacks might not hold on to both of them.

You won’t find many defensive backs at his size with better athletic ability than Tell, so the fact that he is struggling to hold off Chachere in Year 3 should be a bit of a concern. Given his special teams potential and ability to play inside and outside, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if Chachere rides a hot preseason into a 53-man spot at Tell’s expense.

Indianapolis Colts 53-man roster projection after win against Vikings

Which members of that deep Colts roster will make the 53-man group? Frank Reich and Chris Ballard have some difficult decisions to make.