Indianapolis Colts' 53-man roster projections are injury-riddled

The Colts lost their second preseason game against the Green Bay Packers with a final score of 23-19. While they took the loss, there was improvement and some potential clarity at quarterback. The Colts took a 13-3 lead at halftime, and that was more of what this team needed.

Both teams played a chunk of their starters in the first half. The Colts were the better team when the starters were on the field. They were improved at stopping the run in the first half and the special teams issues were corrected.

The injury issues, unfortunately, continued this week as a handful of impact players left the game. This is why all those players get brought in. If the injuries pile up, they can get that one opportunity these undrafted free agents or younger prospects look to make the most of. Let’s look at the latest prediction amongst all these injuries.

Projecting the Indianapolis Colts roster after preseason Week 2

Quarterback (3)

• Roster Locks- Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard
• Roster Cuts- Jason Bean

Let’s start with the positives for this week. Both quarterbacks came out of the Green Bay game unscathed and showed some positive playmaking. Jones started poorly and finished strong. With Richardson, we saw better consistency, but he still missed some easy throws.

At this point, I give the slight edge to Richardson, as you either hope for the best or go down with the ship. Richardson gives you the best chance to get out of football purgatory.

Running Back (3)

• Roster Locks: Jonathan Taylor, Tyler Goodson, DJ Giddens
• Practice Squad: Ulysses Bentley IV
• Roster Cuts: Nate Noel, Khalil Herbert, Nay’Quan Wright

Let’s start with the changes in this room that we saw last week. UDFA Nate Noel was signed after his release in Miami, and they also brought in Nay’Quan Wright. Not sure if these guys have a real shot at the roster, but this says more about the injury to Khalil Herbert.

We did see a very brief Jonathan Taylor sighting, but much of the work was by DJ Giddens and Tyler Goodson in the first half before Goodson left in a brace. Ulysses Bentley IV saw nearly the entire second half of snaps. The room is too crowded to make the active roster, but he appears to be headed to the practice squad. If Goodson misses extended time, Bentley appears to be the next man up.

Wide Receiver (6)

• Roster Locks: Michael Pittman Jr, Alex Pierce, Adonai Mitchell, Josh Downs, Anthony Gould, Ashton Dulin
• Practice Squad: Coleman Owen, Laquon Treadwell
• Roster Cuts: Blayne Taylor, Tyler Kahmann, Ajou Ajou, Landon Parker

The Colts placed WR DJ Montgomery on the injured reserve last week and ended any chance he had of making the practice squad. We will continue for another week with no changes to this group. If there was a most improved during camp, it is Anthony Gould.

He continues to shine in the preseason and is showing some improvement. It is against lesser competition, but it should help with his confidence. Still like this team to bring back Coleman Owen and Laquan Treadwell on the practice squad, as they can both have an impact on special teams when active.

Offensive Line (9)

• Roster Locks: Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith, Danny Pinter, Dalton Tucker, Jalen Travis, Luke Tenuta
• Practice Squad: Josh Sills, Mose Vavao, Marshall Foerner
• Roster Cuts: Wesley French, Marcellus Johnson

A bad day for the offensive line with both on the field play and with injuries. They struggled at joint practice, and they were just OK today on the field. As for the injuries, we saw Braden Smith leave with a groin injury, and swing tackle Blake Freeland fractured his leg, as confirmed by Shane Steichen. He will likely be out for the season.

With Freeland expected to miss the entire season, the main benefactor would be Jalen Travis, and we then saw the Colts turn to (gulp) Luke Tenuta. Even though Freeland was not expecting to see an expanded role, it puts each player one step closer to the active roster. With both Smith and Freeland sustaining injuries, I would not rule out the Colts looking to a more traveled veteran to calm the waters.

Tight End (4)

• Roster Locks: Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory
• Practice Squad: Maximilian Mang
• Roster Cuts: Jelani Woods, Sean McKeon

The Colts released veteran Albert Okwuegbunam last week to free up some space in other areas of the roster. While he was not expected to make the final roster, the move specifically did not change the predictions we have made. Now, the game certainly tried to. Jelani Woods and Will Mallory appear to be fighting for the final spot.

Will Mallory has had a terrific preseason, and with Jelani Woods' injury history, it has given him a clear edge. Woods will not go down without a fight. He got some play with 4th string guys against Green Bay and nearly made the greatest preseason catch in recent history.

The officials deemed that the Jason Bean deep hail mary throw was incomplete. The catch would have won them the game and put some real thought into the final spot.

I do think there will be some serious discussion about keeping Jelani Woods in some fashion. I don’t think they would cut Will Mallory or Mo Alie-Cox, but could they look to either move or cut Drew Ogletree? Mo and Drew have a similar skill set, and keeping the veteran seems to be the better option this season. Not changing my prediction, but just something to potentially keep an eye on.

Defensive Line (10)

• Roster Locks: Kwity Paye, DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Laiatu Latu, Tyquan Lewis, Samson Ebukam, JT Tuimoloau, Neville Gallimore, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Tim Smith
• Practice Squad: Isaiah Land, Josh Tupou, Eric Johnson II
• Roster Cuts: Durell Nchami, Devonta Davis, Marcus Haynes, Desmond Little

The room welcomed Marcus Haynes this week after the Colts placed WR DJ Montgomery on injured reserve. The signing of Haynes was puzzling, as there are other areas that I felt needed attention, but they obviously see something they like in him. It does not help to de-clutter this defensive room at all.

I thought that the three potentially battling for the final spot all played very well. Those players are Isaiah Land, Tim Smith, and Eric Johnson II. They all delivered quarterback pressures throughout the game. Laiatu Latu looked great (again) and looks like he will be taking a leap forward in his sophomore season. This final spot will go down to the final days, and next week's preseason game will be crucial.

Linebacker (5)

• Roster Locks: Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies, Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, Joe Bachie
• Practice Squad: Austin Ajiake, Solomon DeShields
• Roster Cuts: Jacob Phillips

Right now, this room just feels troublesome. Franklin is back, but Carlies is still out with an injury. Cameron McGrone looks like he will be a decent player this season. Joe Bachie looks more like a starter for this team, but the final spot between Segun Olubi and Austin Ajiake just seems monotonous.

Neither player don’t brings any sense of being hopeful. It’s nothing against their talent or what they have done; they are good players, but having them in the final spot makes us feel unsure.

The staff have had plenty of time to fix this, but they continue to leave the room as is. The only solution that I can talk myself into is that they will rely on Hunter Wohler to help when needed to get him on the field.

Wohler has shown promise, but to put your reliance on a hybrid seventh-round pick seems short-sighted. I could be wrong, but my guard continues to be up until I see this room at full strength. I give Olubi the final spot for the moment because of his special teams abilities.

Cornerback (6)

• Roster Locks: Charvarius Ward, Jaylon Jones, Kenny Moore II, Johnathan Edwards, Samuel Womack, JuJu Brents
• Practice Squad: Chris Lammons, Alex Johnson
• Roster Cuts: BJ Mayes, Duke Shelley

Welcome back, Chris Lammons, as he was arguably the player of the game for Indianapolis against Green Bay. He was all over the field and was making the most of this opportunity. He finished with five tackles, one sack, and one tackle for loss. He was the best defender on the field when he was in the game.

Last week we saw Duke Shelley play well, but this week we saw the starter as Johnathan Edwards to start. I don’t think that was just to put him out there with all the injuries. The staff appears to see him as the replacement for Justin Walley. Another week of practice and a final preseason will give more time to see them.

I do think the final two spots will come down to Edwards, Johnson, Womack, and Lammons. Another solid showing from Lammons next week, and I think he jumps Womack. Injuries will play a part in this, as the room has been decimated by them. Don’t count out another veteran addition in this room as well, especially if the injuries to this room do not improve.

Safety (4)

• Roster Locks: Camryn Bynum, Rodney Thomas, Nick Cross, Hunter Wohler
• Practice Squad: Daniel Scott
• Roster Cuts: Trey Washington, Ladarius Tennison

Depending on the injury that knocked Hunter Wohler out of today’s game, this room seems to be solidified. With both Nick Cross and now Wohler battling injuries, we saw plenty of Daniel Scott and Trey Washington this week. Scott did get an interception that got called back, but they were serviceable.

Nothing spectacular, and I think they both made a case for the practice squad. If Wohler and Cross miss extended time, then the team could look to get some veteran help to start the season. For right now, we keep the prediction as we had last week.

Special Teams (3)

• Roster Locks: Spencer Shrader, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes
• Roster Cuts: Maddux Trujilo

Spencer Shrader will be the kicker for the 2025 season, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Shrader did nothing to change that thought process against Green Bay. He went 4 for 4 on his field goals and made one from 56 yards. It’s time to just name him the kicker for the season and give the roster spot for Trujillo to help fill these roster holes from all the injuries.

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