Nearly half the players on the Indianapolis Colts roster had to be released on Tuesday, and this is always a difficult day for any franchise. You wish you could keep them all, but business is business
Plenty of players were waived, and some hopefully will come back on the practice squad. The practice squad has become even more important as the league has evolved, with those players being the "next men up." It allows them to focus on player development instead of signing players just to sign them and hope they work out.
The Colts' linebacker room has some of those players that they just hope work out this season. Zaire Franklin is an expected starter, with Joe Bachie becoming the rotational player. The final spots were filled by Cameron McGrone and Segun Olubi. Lots of inexperience make it possible for the Colts to add a name from another team.
Former Colts linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. could come back to Indianapolis
For all of Ballard’s faults as a GM, his ability to draft high-quality linebackers has never been disputed. He drafted Shaquille Leonard, Bobby Okereke, EJ Speed, and, most recently, Zaire Franklin. This season, he drafted hybrid linebacker Hunter Wohler, who showed immense promise, but he is lost for the season with a Lisfranc injury.
Another under the radar linebacker that Ballard drafted was Anthony Walker Jr. The former fifth-round pick of the Colts in the 2017 NFL Draft has been released by Tampa Bay on Monday. Walker has struggled to stay healthy the past few seasons after some career years with the Indianapolis Colts. The 2019 season was his best with 124 total tackles and 2.5 sacks.
The potentially good news is that according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Anthony Walker will work out with the Colts on Thursday.
Where does he fit in this defense?
The new scheme of this defense is less dependent on linebackers and more dependent on the secondary. Joe Bachie has been a nice talent injection for this defense, but injuries are plaguing the football team.
Veteran LB Anthony Walker Jr., who played in Indianapolis from 2017-2020, is working out Thursday for the Colts.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 27, 2025
Zaire Franklin is returning to form. Cameron McGrone and Segun Olubi are still inexperienced and are now learning a new system.
At this point, the Colts just need competent bodies to get on the field. A veteran body would be even better, and that’s what Walker would bring. He would be exactly what this team needs right now. A potential rotational piece that can fill in or start when needed. Yes, he is coming off two injury-plagued seasons, but a fresh start might be just what he needs to get back to form.