With roster cutdowns taking place, the Colts are reportedly placing linebacker Cameron McGrone on injured reserve but designating him to return, according to Joel Erickson of the Indy Star.
McGrone appeared in the Colts first preseason game against Denver and had a very strong performance, recording four tackles, forcing a fumble, and holding pass catchers to only 7.0 yards per reception. He also played 15 special teams snaps.
Unfortunately, an injury would sideline McGrone and he wouldn’t see any more preseason snaps the remainder of training camp.
Prior to the injury, McGrone was competing with Segun Olubi for the backup middle linebacker role. He was also a key special teams contributor in 2023, playing 151 total snaps.
Under the new injured reserve rules, teams can designate up to two players to return without having to first place them on the 53-man roster.
During previous years, if an injured player was put on IR before rosters were set, they could not return that season. So as a workaround, teams would have to first place that player on the 53-man, taking up a roster spot and forcing them to cut someone else, only to then move that injured player to IR, along with then having to fill that roster spot.
Along with McGrone being designated to return, so is defensive end Samson Ebukam. So now the question becomes, what does this mean for Jelani Woods?
Woods recently had toe surgery that will reportedly keep him out for roughly four months. If the Colts want him back this season, he will have to be on the 53-man roster. If they don’t put him on the roster, his season with the Colts is over.