Colts waive UDFA LB Anthony Butler

Colts waive an undrafted free agent rookie.

The Indianapolis Colts waived undrafted rookie free agent linebacker Anthony Butler, the team announced Tuesday.

Butler was one of the five undrafted rookies the Colts signed following the 2021 NFL draft out of Liberty. Now, the Colts only have four undrafted rookie free agents with a chance to extend the streak to 23 years.

It was going to be tough for Butler to make the roster even as a SAM backer, which is currently the biggest need in the linebacker room behind Darius Leonard and Bobby Okereke.

The four remaining undrafted rookie free agents for the Colts are running back Deon Jackson, linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi and wide receivers Tarik Black and Tyler Vaughns.

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Colts sign 5 undrafted rookie free agents

Colts add 5 UDFAs.

The Indianapolis Colts signed five undrafted rookie free agents following the 2021 NFL draft and waived cornerback Will Sunderland, the team announced Thursday.

Those undrafted rookie free agents include:

  • LB Anthony Butler, Liberty
  • LB Isaiah Kaufusi, BYU
  • RB Deon Jackson, Duke
  • WR Tarik Black, Texas
  • WR Tyler Vaughns, USC

The Colts typically have more undrafted rookie free agents to bring in. However, there simply aren’t as many spots on the roster this offseason.

Two of the undrafted rookie received hefty signing bonuses, which shows how much the Colt prioritized them. Jackson, the running back from Duke, got a $45,000 signing bonus, which is potentially the highest Chris Ballard has ever given out. Vaughns, the wide receiver out of USC, received a $22,000 signing bonus as well.

The Colts have a long streak of 21 seasons with an undrafted rookie making the Week 1 roster. It will be interesting to see if that streak is extended with one of these five players.

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