Category: Transactions

Colts sign 9 to futures contracts among several roster moves

The Colts made 14 roster moves Monday to begin the 2024 offseason.

The Indianapolis Colts officially got their offseason underway Monday by making several roster moves, including the signings of nine players to Reserve/Future contracts, the team announced.

Along with the nine futures contracts the team signed, all of which include players from the practice squad, the Colts also signed four players to one-year contract extensions while waiving another player. So in total, the Colts made 14 moves.

As is typical protocol following the end of the regular season, the Colts will be preparing to expand their roster to 90 players for the offseason. Much of that includes signing players to futures contracts.

The expansion of the roster to 90 players doesn’t go into effect until the start of the new league year, which is March 13. That’s why it’s technically a reserve contract. It is essentially stating the player will be on the 90-man roster when the time comes.

There is no limit to how many futures contracts the Colts have as long as they are within the 90-man limit when the new league year rolls around.

Here’s a look at the 14 moves the Colts made to begin the offseason:

Colts promote WR Juwann Winfree to the active roster

Juwann Winfree was promoted to the active roster.

The Indianapolis Colts signed wide receiver Juwann Winfree to the active roster from the practice squad, the team announced Tuesday.

Winfree will be taking the spot of tight end Andrew Ogletree, who was placed on the Commissioner Exempt List last weekend following an arrest for domestic battery.

While Ogletree is essentially on paid leave, Winfree will be taking his spot as the No. 5 wide receiver.

Winfree had a solid preseason, but has played only 21 snaps on offense this season. He’s spent much of the campaign on the practice squad and has had a role on special teams when he’s active on gamedays.

Also, the Colts signed tight end Eric Tomlinson to the practice squad.

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Colts elevate LB Liam Anderson, WR Ethan Fernea for Week 17

Liam Anderson and Ethan Fernea get called up for Week 17.

The Indianapolis Colts elevated linebacker Liam Anderson and wide receiver Ethan Fernea ahead of the Week 17 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, the team announced Saturday.

Anderson is likely being called up for the game after special teams linebacker Cameron McGrone was downgraded from questionable to doubtful due to an illness.

Fernea will provide depth in the wide receiver room while mostly playing on special teams. The Colts listed wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. as questionable even though he passed the concussion protocol for the second week in a row.

The Colts also are going to be without tight end Andrew Ogletree, who was arrested Friday on two counts of domestic battery. Because they didn’t elevate a tight end, they’ll be rolling with Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox and rookie Will Mallory.

The Colts and Raiders are set to kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Colts sign LB Austin Ajiake to the practice squad

The Colts added a LB to the practice squad.

The Indianapolis Colts signed linebacker Austin Ajiake to the practice squad, the team announced Thursday.

Ajiake initially signed with the Denver Broncos during training camp as an undrafted rookie free agent in August. He also spent time this season on the practice squads of the Green Bay Packers and Las Vegas Raiders.

Ajiake spent five seasons at UNLV (2018-2022), appearing in 48 games (20 starts). He recorded 232 tackles (117 solo), 4.0 sacks, three passes defended and two interceptions.

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Colts elevate OT Jared Veldheer, WR Ethan Fernea for Week 16

The Colts elevated two players from the practice squad for Week 16.

The Indianapolis Colts elevated offensive tackle Jared Veldheer and wide receiver Ethan Fernea from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of the Week 16 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, the team announced Saturday.

Veldheer was signed to the practice squad on Dec. 11, coming out of retirement. He last played for the Colts in 2020 when he started the wild-card game at left tackle.

With Braden Smith (knee) out for a third consecutive game, the expectation is that rookie Blake Freeland will be the starter again. Veldheer will provide some depth at both tackle spots.

Fernea gets another elevation for the second week in a row after he was signed to the practice squad at the beginning of December. He will likely contribute on special teams.

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Colts promote CB Chris Lammons to active roster

The Colts promoted CB Chris Lammons to the active roster.

The Indianapolis Colts signed cornerback Chris Lammons from the practice squad to the active roster, the team announced Friday.

Because of the team-imposed suspensions of wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie and cornerback Tony Brown, the Colts had two open spots on the 53-man roster. One of them was filled by running back Tyler Goodson on Tuesday.

Lammons will be taking the spot of Brown, who contributed mostly on special teams. He will also provide some depth in the slot behind Kenny Moore II if needed.

Lammons has spent the season on the Colts’ practice squad after he served a three-game suspension to begin the campaign. He has appeared in two games this season, working as a special teams player on both occasions.

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Colts make several roster moves after suspending two players

The Colts made some roster moves after suspending two players.

The Indianapolis Colts made several roster moves Tuesday after announcing self-imposed suspensions of cornerback Tony Brown and wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie, the team announced Tuesday.

It isn’t clear what led to the suspensions, which were listed due to conduct detrimental to the team. Both Brown and McKenzie were healthy scratches for the Week 15 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers so there is likely a connection.

The Colts announced more roster moves after the suspensions Tuesday, including one player being added to the active roster.

Colts sign G Arlington Hambright to the practice squad

Arlington Hamrbight is back on the practice squad.

The Indianapolis Colts signed guard Arlington Hambright to the practice squad, the team announced Friday.

Hambright was waived Thursday when the Colts promoted wide receiver D.J. Montgomery from the practice squad to the active roster. After clearing waivers, the Colts were able to get Hambright back on the practice squad.

Hambright spent the offseason with the Colts but failed to make the active roster during cuts at the end of August. He was signed to the practice squad shortly after and was promoted to the active roster in September.

Hambeight remained on the roster for the majority of the season until he was waived Thursday.

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Colts elevate WR Ethan Fernea from the practice squad

The Colts also elevated WR Ethan Fernea from the practice squad.

The Indianapolis Colts elevated wide receiver Ethan Fernea from the practice squad to the active roster for the Week 15 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team announced Friday.

After promoting wide receiver D.J. Montgomery to the active roster, the Colts will now have six wideouts on the gameday roster Saturday when they host the Steelers.

Fernea has been with the Colts since initially signing as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2022 NFL draft. He was placed on the Reserve/Injured list in August and then was waived with an injury settlement a few days later.

Fernea returned to the practice squad in December. This is his first elevation from the practice squad.

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Colts elevate RB Tyler Goodson from practice squad

Tyler Goodson was elevated from the practice squad.

The Indianapolis Colts elevated running back Tyler Goodson from the practice squad to the active roster for the Week 15 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team announced Friday.

Goodson will be elevated for the third consecutive game, which means he can no longer be elevated for gamedays after this week. If the Colts want him on the roster for gamedays, he will need to be promoted to the active roster.

With Jonathan Taylor (thumb) ruled out for the third consecutive game, Goodson will work on special teams while splitting snaps with Trey Sermon providing depth behind starter Zack Moss.

The Colts also announced defensive end Derek Rivers was placed on the practice squad injured list with an undisclosed injury.

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