Colts make a surprising cut as they trim the roster to 53 players
As the Indianapolis Colts release players in order to reach the 53-man roster limit, the team cut a veteran that many expected to make the roster.
On Tuesday, the Indianapolis Colts and the rest of the NFL have to trim their rosters down to just 53 players. After starting training camp with 90 players, and having as many as 80 during the final preseason game, a lot of tough decisions will have to be made by franchises as they let go of players that have had productive preseasons.
The Colts made one of those unfortunate releases on Tuesday morning when they let go of veteran running back Phillip Lindsay. Lindsay was brought to Indianapolis earlier in the offseason and he has consistently been RB3 behind Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines.
Considering Hines’ new role as a slot receiver, as well as running back, many assumed Lindsay would make the roster as a reliable veteran to help keep Taylor and Hines fresh since they will be seeing a lot of action. However, Indianapolis ultimately felt it was best to release Lindsay and that probably had a lot to do with special teams.
Source confirms Colts cut RB Phillip Lindsay, as @RapSheet first reported.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) August 30, 2022
I'm pretty surprised. I know why they did it -- special teams -- but I thought there was room to keep him. He looked really good in camp/preseason. I don't love this move.
Colts release Phillip Lindsay
The No. 3 running back position usually comes down to which back contributes more on special teams, not necessarily which player is the better running back. This was the situation last season that led to Marlon Mack becoming a healthy scratch so Deon Jackson could suit up.
That’s likely the case for Lindsay this season. While he had a solid training camp and preseason as the third running back, Indianapolis likely considers Deon Jackson’s special teams contribution more valuable than the few carries that Lindsay would get since Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines is already in the backfield.
It’s unfortunate for the veteran Lindsay but he could find a spot somewhere else throughout the league or possibly return to the Colts as a member of the practice squad. That’s the fate of all of the players that will be released today.
