Veterans and rookies for the Indianapolis Colts will report for training camp on July 24th, with the first practice taking place on July 25th.
Between now and then I will be previewing the Colts’ 91-man roster with a look back at each player’s 2023 season, along with what’s ahead for 2024.
I’ll be going through the Colts’ roster alphabetically, so up next is linebacker Liam Anderson. To stay up to date with our other previews, be sure to head over to Colts Wire.
2023 Season Review
Liam Anderson went undrafted out of FCS Holy Cross in 2023 and signed with the Colts as an undrafted rookie. He would be waived during initial roster cutdowns but was signed back to the practice squad, where he spent much of the season.
In Week 17, Anderson was elevated to the gameday roster and played eight special teams snaps, six on the kick coverage unit and two on the punt return team.
At Holy Cross, Anderson played over 1,800 career snaps and did a bit of everything for that defense, lining up just about everywhere. Anderson graded out very well as a run defender over his career, often utilized as a pass rusher his last two seasons, along with totaling six interceptions and four pass breakups in coverage.
“My range as a long, lanky, speedy linebacker,” Anderson said via SI. “As well as that overhang position. My ability to drop back and cover and play man on some slot receivers, tight ends and running backs type guys.
“My versatility. I really don’t know what position I’ll be playing at the next level. A Mike or Will linebacker position. Open between the two and open to any package a team would have for me.”
Anderson also played 246 career special teams snaps and was a team captain.
2024 Season Preview
Anderson is a part of an already fairly crowded Colts’ linebacker position. Although there will be a camp battle this summer for the third linebacker role, at most, there may only be one roster spot up for grabs, assuming the Colts keep six linebackers as they did in 2023.
Zaire Franklin, EJ Speed, and Carlies will account for three roster spots. Presumably, with Grant Stuard and Segun Olubi leading the team in special teams snaps in 2023, they will account for two roster spots as well.
This would leave Anderson, Austin Ajiake, Ronnie Harrison, who could compete with Carlies for that coverage-specific role at linebacker, Cameron McGrone, who played 151 special teams snaps last season, and UDFA Craig Young, battling for the sixth spot.
Special teams will be Anderson’s path toward carving out a roster spot, and the fact that he was elevated late last season does show that he’s on the coaching staff’s radar. However, landing on the practice squad may again be the most likely outcome for Anderson as he continues to develop.