Category: Latest Colts News

Colts worked out 4 free-agent kickers

Colts work out a quartet of kickers.

The Indianapolis Colts were expected to hold a workout for a handful of free-agent kickers on Tuesday as they evaluate the direction they want to go amid Adam Vinatieri’s struggles.

This is the second time the Colts have held a group work out for kickers. The reportedly had four come in for a workout—including two that were a part of the group earlier in the season.

The news was first reported by Field Yates of ESPN.

Elliot Fry and Greg Joseph were the two that worked out for the Colts earlier in the season. They are also a part of the kickers the Colts should consider if they do decide to part ways with the future Hall of Fame in Vinatieri.

The veteran in Mike Nugent spent most of his career with the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals. He also signed with the New England Patriots for a few games this season.

Nick Rose is 25 years old but has only appeared in 10 career games since joining the league as an undrafted free agent in 2016.

It remains to be seen what will happen with the entire Vinatieri situation, but the Colts are doing their homework in case they decide to make a move.

Colts open as 3.5-point favorites vs. Jaguars

Colts open the week as favorites.

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The Indianapolis Colts (5-4) will be looking to bounce back from their crucial loss to host the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 11.

Despite the Colts coming off of their worst loss in recent memory, they are opening the week as 3.5-point favorites over the visiting Jaguars, per BetMGM. The total is set at a modest 44.5 points for the Week 11 divisional matchup.

The Colts are trying to shake off the loss against the Miami Dolphins—one that was both shocking and listless in Week 10. Indy was down several starting players, but they still allowed one of the worst teams in the NFL to beat them in their own stadium.

The Jaguars, meanwhile, are coming out of the bye week and are trying to put their own embarrassing loss behind them after what the Houston Texans did to them overseas in Week 9.

It isn’t clear if the Colts will see the return of quarterback Jacoby Brissett. The 26-year-old missed the Dolphins game due to an MCL sprain, and the Colts had to ride with Brian Hoyer, who turned in a ghastly outing.

On the other side, it has already been confirmed that Nick Foles will be the starting quarterback for the Jaguars as he makes his return from a broken collarbone he suffered all the way back in Week 1.

It should be a physical battle in the trenches in Week 11, but the Colts are being viewed as slight favorites to open the week.

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Report: Colts to work out kickers amid Adam Vinatieri’s struggles

Colts are taking a look at available kickers.

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The Indianapolis Colts will take a look at the free-agent market for kickers amid the struggles of future Hall of Famer Adam Vinatieri, per Dan Graziano of ESPN.

Vinatieri missed his 11th kick of the season on an extra-point attempt in the embarrassing 16-12 loss against the Miami Dolphins in Week 10.

This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. The Colts have said they will continue to evaluate the roster — even if it means a potential release of the points leader in NFL history.

Vinatieri has meant a lot to the Colts for 14 seasons, but his inconsistency on field goals and extra points is costing them games. With his 47th birthday coming next month, Vinatieri is the oldest player in the NFL. It is prudent that they at least know what’s available on the market.

This is a situation to monitor as the season progresses if the Colts wind up making a move.

Colts drop a spot in NFL power rankings after loss to Dolphins

How far did the Colts fall in the power rankings?

The Indianapolis Colts will have to deal with the ramifications of allowing the Miami Dolphins to go into Lucas Oil Stadium and come out with a road win.

Though the Colts had several starters inactive due to injuries—most importantly Jacoby Brissett and T.Y. Hilton—there really aren’t any excuses for the sloppy play they put on the field.

And while most would expect the Colts to plummet in the power rankings, they fell just one spot in Touchdown Wire’s rankings following the loss to the Dolphins.

14. Indianapolis Colts

(5-4. Last week: 13)

Though Jacoby Brissett had thrown 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions before suffering a sprained MCL in Week 9 against the Steelers, there were Colts fans who considered Brissett expendable. Those people are probably rethinking that position after their team’s 16-12 loss to the Dolphins, in which backup quarterback Brian Hoyer completed 18 of 39 passes for 204 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. This after Hoyer threw a 96-yard pick-six to Minkah Fitzpatrick to help lose the Steelers game. Hoyer was without star receiver T.Y. Hilton against the Dolphins, Frank Reich’s offense couldn’t get much going on the ground, and Adam Vinatieri continued a troubling 2019 season that suggest the greatest kicker in NFL history might need to hang ’em up. But the real story for the Colts is how they look without Brissett under center. It’s time to acknowledge that, perhaps especially in his absence.

The Colts certainly could have used Brissett against the Dolphins. Hoyer was truly abysmal in a game that could have some serious say in the playoff picture when the season is said and done.

In the AFC South, the Houston Texans (No. 8) lead the way followed by the Colts (No. 14), the Tennessee Titans (No. 16) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 19) for the rankings.

The Colts will try to get back on track in Week 11 as they host the Jaguars for a 1:00 p.m. ET game at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Colts ‘encouraged and optimistic’ Jacoby Brissett plays vs. Jaguars

Pray that Jacoby Brissett practices in full on Wednesday.

The Indianapolis Colts (5-4) were embarrassed by the Miami Dolphins (2-7) on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium without the benefit of having their starting quarterback in Jacoby Brissett available.

Inactive due to an MCL sprain he suffered in Week 9, the Colts are still waiting to see if he will be ready to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11, but there seems to be some optimism he’ll be ready.

“Yeah, I mean if Jacoby (Brissett) is healthy – he is our starting quarterback obviously – he’ll go. We are optimistic that the rest was helpful,” Reich said in a conference call Monday. “We will get to Wednesday and see how he is doing, but we are encouraged and optimistic.”

The Colts had to watch veteran backup Brian Hoyer struggle incredibly during the dismal loss against the Dolphins. The 11-year veteran threw three interceptions and finished with a passer rating of 38.8.

He wasn’t the sole reason the Colts lost the game—the offensive line was brutal as well—but he didn’t elevate the unit around him. It was a ghastly performance that left many fans begging for Chad Kelly to enter the game.

Regardless, Reich maintains the mindset that if Brissett practices in full on Wednesday, he will resume his starting role under center against the Jaguars.

“I’m not going to try and make any secret about it, I’m really not,” Reich said. “If he is practicing and taking full practice – at that point we will say, ‘We are ready to go. He is our starter and we are going forward.’ But we will wait until Wednesday to make that determination.”

The Colts desperately need Brissett under center in what will be a crucial divisional matchup at home in Week 11, which means his status will be closely monitored throughout the week.

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Chiefs sign OT Jackson Barton off Colts practice squad

Jackson Barton joins the Chiefs.

The Kansas City Chiefs signed offensive tackle Jackson Barton off of the Indianapolis Colts practice squad on Monday.

Barton was a seventh-round pick with the Colts in the 2019 NFL Draft but didn’t make the initial 53-man roster during final cuts following the preseason. Barton will now be moved to the Chiefs active roster.

Barton attended Utah where he spent most of his time at left tackle. He also saw some work at right tackle as well during college.

Barton likely wasn’t going to see the active roster for the Colts anytime soon. Though he has great size for the position, his pad level and inconsistent technique made him a project.

Colts to add WR Deon Cain to the practice squad

Deon Cain is coming back to the practice squad.

The Indianapolis Colts are bringing wide receiver Deon Cain back to the practice squad after he cleared waivers Monday.

In what was a bit of a surprising move, the Colts waived the second-year wide receiver on Saturday ahead of the Week 10 matchup with the Miami Dolphins.

Head coach Frank Reich told reporters during a conference call Monday that the team wanted to bring Cain back if he cleared waivers. The Clemson product did, and he will now be joining the practice squad.

After missing his entire rookie season due to a torn ACL, Cain was looking to take a hold of the opportunity put in front of him in Year 2. With various injuries hitting the wide receiver position, the former sixth-round pick had a chance to carve out a role.

However, he failed to do so through the first eight games of the season. He caught just four passes on 14 targets for 52 yards.

There is still a lot of development that needs to take place before Cain becomes an impact player, and he will get the chance to do so on the practice squad.

Colts’ snap counts from Week 10 loss to Dolphins

Snap counts from the Week 10 loss.

The Indianapolis Colts (5-4) woke up to the reality that the lowly Miami Dolphins (2-7) came into their home at Lucas Oil Stadium and utterly dominated en route to a 16-12 loss for Indy.

It was a shocking and pathetic performance from a team that is supposed to compete for a spot in the AFC playoffs. No, they weren’t at full strength, but this is still a game they should have won with ease.

Here’s a look at the offensive snap counts from the Week 10 loss:

Behind the offensive line and quarterback Brian Hoyer, wide receivers Zach Pascal and Marcus Johnson led the way playing 99% and 80% of the snaps, respectively. Johnson was called up the day prior from the practice squad.

After publicly venting his frustrations, tight end Eric Ebron out-snapped Jack Doyle while Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines split snaps in the backfield due to game script.

Here’s a look at the defensive and special teams snap counts:

It seems rookie safety Khari Willis is officially taking over the strong safety role. He played 91% of the snaps while veteran Clayton Geathers saw just six(!) plays on defense.

Rookie defensive end Ben Banogu only played on 24% of the snaps while cornerback Marvell Tell continues to get more playing time—logging 71% of the defensive snaps on Sunday.