Tag: colts news

Recently-waived former 49ers 3rd-round pick claimed by Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are a popular place for former San Francisco 49ers CBs to land.

The San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday as part of a slew of roster moves waived former third-round pick Ambry Thomas.

Thomas, a cornerback from the University of Michigan, was claimed Wednesday by the Indianapolis Colts according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

San Francisco kept Thomas on their initial 53-man roster despite a rough preseason that was further derailed by an injury. Thomas was quickly placed on IR because of a broken forearm he sustained in the team’s preseason opener. He was never activated before being placed on waivers.

Thomas is due to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason after an up-and-down tenure in the Bay Area.

He stepped into a starting role as a rookie and wound up sealing a postseason berth by intercepting Matt Stafford in overtime of a Week 18 win over the Los Angeles Rams. He wound up missing out on a starting job in Year 2 and started none of the 15 games he appeared in. Last season he was in-and-out of the starting lineup as a third CB while the team struggled to find consistency in the secondary.

His training camp and preseason left him without a role heading into 2024. Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir locked down two of the starting jobs, while Isaac Yiadom and rookie Renardo Green were the clear third and fourth CBs in some order. Thomas stayed around as an internal depth piece San Francisco never needed.

Thomas played in 42 games with 11 starts for the 49ers and posted 79 tackles, 12 pass breakups, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He’ll now get a fresh start with a Colts club that also claimed former 49ers CB Samuel Womack after he was let go at final cuts.

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Adonai Mitchell had a perfect response to Nik Bonitto’s fumble-6

“It was there pretty much until [No.] 15 turned into Ed Reed and just came through out of nowhere,” Adonai Mitchell said of Nik Bonitto.

Struggling to get anything going on offense, the Indianapolis Colts turned to a trick play while trailing the Denver Broncos by four points in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game.

Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson threw the ball backwards to wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. The receiver was then set to throw the ball back to Richardson, presumably for the QB to throw the ball downfield.

Mitchell’s backwards throw to Richardson was picked off by Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto and returned 51 yards for a touchdown. Technically, it was a fumble-six because the ball was not thrown forward.

After an eventual 31-13 win for Denver, Mitchell had a great quote on the game-changing play.

“If you look at it from my perspective, it was there pretty much until [No.] 15 turned into Ed Reed and just came through out of nowhere,” Mitchell said. “I mean, it was a great play by him. We just have to execute better.”

“I executed,” the receiver said. “I saw it, he was open, I threw it. Turns out he wasn’t open. I don’t know where [No.] 15 came from, but I didn’t see him.”

Bonitto quickly realized that it wasn’t a typical play.

“It was kind of a slow developing play, so I knew something was weird,” the pass rusher said. “The receiver usually doesn’t go catch screens like that. Once I saw Richardson drifting back a little bit, I decided to go try and break on it and ended up getting it.”

Bonitto reached a top speed of 20.19 mph on his return, which marked the fastest speed by a linebacker carrying the ball this season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

“He is athletic,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said after the win. “That is two games in a row. It was a real good play, and the timing of it. There was like a 10-minute period in the game where it went from being close to not out of reach but certainly in our favor.”

In the team’s last game, Bonitto had a 71-yard pick-six on Monday Night Football against the Cleveland Browns. He became the second player in franchise history to post a defensive touchdown in back-to-back games, joining former defensive back Bill Thompson (1973).

With two scores and the third-most sacks (11.5) in the NFL, Bonitto is making a case to win Defensive Player of the Year. The pass rusher was asked if he’s thought about winning the award.

“Not really because it still doesn’t seem real to be mentioned in that type of light,” Bonitto said. “There are three games left, so we have to take it one game at a time. We just have to keep stacking these wins.”

Bonitto might not be thinking about it, but the stats are on his side. J.J. Watt was the NFL’s last player to total at least 10 sacks and score two defensive touchdowns in the same season (2014), and Watt took home DPOY honors that year. Bonitto is on pace to do the same in 2024.

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Broncos fans (not Colts fans) loved Peyton Manning’s message on the ‘ManningCast’

“Could be my Broncos in that playoff game,” Peyton Manning said of the ManningCast’s postseason broadcast.

Peyton Manning spent the first 14 years of his Indianapolis Colts, but after undergoing multiple neck surgeries, he was released in 2012 and the Colts moved on with Andrew Luck.

Manning then landed with the Denver Broncos, where he played the final four years of his career. Manning helped Denver win four division titles and reach two Super Bowls during his time with the Broncos, and he retired after winning Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season.

Manning still lives in the Denver area and he has season tickets for Broncos games (you can spot him on the sideline of most home games). The retired quarterback also works on various projects with Omaha Productions, including the ManningCast with his brother, Eli, and former NFL coach Bill Belichick.

On the regular season finale of the ManningCast last night, Manning looked ahead to the playoff broadcast with a prediction about one of his former teams.

“Hey, Bill, we’ll see ya in the playoff game coming up,” Manning told Belichick at the end of the first quarter. “That’s the next time we’ll see ya. Looking forward to that. I don’t know who we’re going to have — could be my Broncos. Could be my Broncos in that playoff game, Eli. I’m just calling it right now.”

Eli nodded: “They’re playing well.”

Ironically, the Broncos will host the Colts on Sunday afternoon and Indy will be desperate for a win to keep its playoff hopes alive. Despite spending the majority of his career with the Colts, though, Manning dubbed Denver’s squad “my Broncos,” and he’s backing them to reach the postseason.

Here’s a sampling of how fans reacted on Twitter/X.

Added another fan on Reddit: “I know Indy loves him, but he chose us and loves us more… I love it.”

The 48-year-old retired QB is an official member of Broncos Country.

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Colts make quarterback decision for rest of 2024 season

The Colts are going back to quarterback Anthony Richardson. The Broncos will host Indy in Week 15.

The Indianapolis Colts are going back to quarterback Anthony Richardson for the rest of the 2024 NFL season, coach Shane Steichen announced Wednesday.

This marks a reversal from just two days ago when Steichen said Joe Flacco would start against the New York Jets in Week 11. Indianapolis has decided to instead start Richardson for the remainder of the season.

“We’ve made it very clear to him that he’s our quarterback going forward,” Steichen said before the Colts practiced on Wednesday.

Richardson, 22, went 3-3 as a starter to begin the year. He completed 44.4% of his passes for 958 yards with four touchdowns against seven interceptions. Richardson also rushed 41 times for 242 yards and a touchdown.

Flacco, 39, went 1-3 as a starter over the last four weeks. The veteran completed 66.5% of his passes for 1,167 yards with nine touchdowns against five interceptions.

Indy’s decision could impact the Denver Broncos (5-5) as the Colts (4-6) are competing for a wild card spot in the AFC playoffs. Denver will host Indianapolis at Empower Field at Mile High in Week 15 on Dec. 15.

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Colts make quarterback change 7 weeks ahead of Broncos game

The Colts have benched Anthony Richardson in favor of Joe Flacco. The Broncos will host Indy in Week 15.

Seven weeks ahead of their road game against the Denver Broncos in Week 15, the Indianapolis Colts are making a change at quarterback.

The Colts have benched struggling quarterback Anthony Richardson in favor of a veteran who is familiar to Broncos fans. Indianapolis is turning the offense over to Joe Flacco, who started two games earlier this year when Richardson was injured.

Up next for the Colts (4-4) is a road game against the Minnesota Vikings (5-2) on Sunday Night Football in Week 9. Six weeks after that game, Denver will host Indy at Empower Field at Mile High on Dec. 15.

Richardson, 22, completed 44.4% of his passes for 958 yards this season with four touchdowns against seven interceptions. He has also rushed for 242 yards and a touchdown and fumbled six times. Flacco, 39, has completed 65.7% of his passes for 716 yards with seven touchdowns against one interception.

After 11 years with the Baltimore Ravens, Flacco spent one season with the Broncos in 2019. He went 2-6 as a starter in Denver. Flacco has spent time with four other teams since his stint with the Broncos. His career win-loss record is 104-83.

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Colts announce several football operations moves

The Colts announced several promotions within the football operations department.

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The Indianapolis Colts made several promotions and changes to the football operations, the team announced Wednesday.

According to the release from the team, here are the updated changes to the football operations department:

  • Nick Bayh named strategic football analyst
  • Mikey Blazejowski elevated to assistant sports science/analytics
  • Matt Conti named vice president of football communications
  • Kyle Davis elevated to head athletic trainer
  • Christian Edwards named director of football communications
  • Joe Fonderoli elevated to vice president of operations
  • Dave Hammer named senior head athletic trainer
  • Andrew Hoyle elevated to player personnel scout
  • Melainey Lowe named director of football operations
  • David Thornton elevated to vice president of team engagement

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CBS Sports: Chargers land wide receiver in free agency mock draft

With free agency upon us, CBS Sports conducted the veteran market like a draft.

The Chargers wide receiver room could be undergoing some remodeling this off-season.

While they are in the market for one, particularly with speed, Los Angeles may be looking to find a replacement for veteran Keenan Allen, who is dubbed a potential cut casualty or trade option, given the team’s need to free up salary cap space.

If the Bolts move Allen, there is the possibility that they go into free agency looking to fill the void, or at least CBS Sport’s Cody Benjamin believes so.

Benjamin conducted a free-agency mock draft using educated guesses (and considered well-informed reports from across the league) and made the order by projected 2023 cap space.

With the No. 28 overall selection, Benjamin has Los Angeles “taking” Colts wide receiver Parris Campbell.

With Keenan Allen a potential cap casualty coming off an injury-shortened year, the Chargers may be in the market for a WR2 opposite Mike Williams. While Campbell has had his own issues staying on the field, he broke out as a speed threat for the Colts in 2022. His multipurpose abilities alongside RB Austin Ekeler would potentially spice up the offense for Justin Herbert.

Campbell, a second-round pick of the 2019 NFL draft, dealt with a fair share of injuries for most of his pro career. But he stayed healthy this past season, and Campbell set career-highs with 63 receptions and 623 yards while adding three touchdowns.

Campbell is an explosive player with track-star speed and fantastic agility, something the Chargers would benefit from.

But given his injury history and his projected contract of three years for $23.25 million ($7.75M per year) and $13.25 million total guaranteed, it might not be the most logical route to address the position.

Instead, Los Angeles could choose to sign a receiver to a veteran minimum contract and draft one early on, whether they choose to keep Allen or not, and still be in good shape.

Chargers’ Derwin James speaks on ejection, hit on Colts WR Ashton Dulin

Derwin James said he was trying to make a play and had no intentions of hurting Ashton Dulin.

In Week 16 against the Colts, Chargers star safety Derwin James was ejected in the second quarter.

James lowered the crown of his helmet and connected it with the shoulder and neck of wide receiver Ashton Dulin.

James was flagged for unnecessary roughness and ultimately kicked out for the illegal hit on a defenseless receiver. Dulin was later ruled out with a concussion that caused him to miss the rest of the game.

James was also diagnosed with a concussion that sidelined him in last Sunday’s game against the Rams.

On Thursday, at his media availability, James said he was trying to make a play and had no intentions of hurting Dulin.

“I’m not a dirty player,” James said.

James is donned as one of the league’s best safeties, known for his ability to play multiple spots across the field at a high level. But he is also lauded for his physicality as a tackler.

“If you look at how I play every week, I’m not out to hurt nobody,” James said. “I don’t play the game that way. I wasn’t taught the game that way. I’m trying to play fast and aggressive for my team and make a play.”

The NFL decided not to suspend James for the hit, but he was still given a $25,462 fine.

James cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and is back with the Chargers.

“I’m 100%,” James said.

Chargers vs. Colts first-half highlights

Catch up on all the action from the Monday matchup between the Chargers and Colts.

The Chargers lead the Colts at the half, 10-3.

Here are all of Los Angeles’ notable highlights from the first two quarters.

After the two teams traded three and outs to start the game, Indianapolis started to drive down the field, including a fourth-down conversion aided by a Jeff Saturday challenge.

Then, it was Michael Davis’ time to shine.

David fielded a Nick Foles deep throw like the arm punt it was, eventually returning the easy interception 30 yards to give the Chargers the ball back at their own 41.

Most of the time, football teams trade points. Through the first quarter, all the Chargers and Colts traded were interceptions.

After Justin Herbert was intercepted on the drive following Davis’ first pick of the season, the Colts threw it right back to LA. This time, it was Derwin James with the play, tapping his feet in bounds like a veteran receiver.

The interception, Los Angeles’ second of the game, gave the Bolts the ball back at their own 33.

After more than 21 minutes of game time, the Chargers finally broke the 0-0 deadlock.

Los Angeles capped off a 13-play, 70-yard drive with a one-yard Austin Ekeler rushing touchdown, the Chargers’ fourth straight run play of the drive.

The drive was also aided by two Mike Williams receptions of 16 and 18 yards, the latter of which brought the ball into the red zone.

James’ return from injury has turned out to be short-lived.

After returning from a quad injury that had held him out of the last two contests, James had had a stellar game through a quarter and a half, including a phenomenal interception of Colts QB Nick Foles.

Midway through the second quarter, Foles targeted wide receiver Ashton Dulin in the flat, where he was hit with the force of a semi-truck as James flew downhill. The collision was immediately flagged for helmet-to-helmet contact.

Despite James’ protests as he pointed to his shoulder while walking off the field, he was ejected from the remainder of the contest by officials in New York. It seemed as though James was indicating that he hit Dulin in the shoulder initially, but the replay showed clear head-to-head contact.

With James back out of the lineup, Alohi Gilman and Nasir Adderley will take over as the safeties for the rest of the game. Rookie Raheem Layne is also on the roster after being signed off the practice squad before the game.

Live tweet updates from Chargers vs. Colts

Stay up to date on all the action from the matchup between the Chargers and Colts.

The Chargers are set to take on the Colts in Week 16 of the 2022 regular season in just a few moments.

If you’re away from the television or can’t stream the game and want to be kept up to date on all the action, we will have you covered.