Tag: luke rhodes

Colts had no All-Pro selections for 2023

The Colts had no All-Pro selections in 2023, but several players were close.

The Indianapolis Colts were not represented with any selections on the All-Pro First or Second Teams for the 2023 season, but several players were right on the cusp.

While the majority of the time the First-Team selections are what truly stick around, it’s notable when players are voted as Second-Team selections. It’s even noteworthy if a player fails to garner either selection but still receives votes.

The way the system works is the panel of 50 writers vote for each position. If a player is voted on the first team, that vote is worth three points. Second-team votes are worth one point. The players with the most points total get selected.

For the Colts, the following positions received no votes whatsoever for the 2023 AP All-Pro teams:

  • Quarterback
  • Running Back
  • Wide Receiver
  • Tight End
  • Left Tackle
  • Right Guard
  • Edge Rusher
  • Cornerback
  • Kick/Punt Returner
  • Special Teamer

Now, let’s take a look at the Colts players who did receive votes for the 2023 AP All-Pro teams, courtesy of the Associated Press’ Rob Maadi:

Colts sign LS Luke Rhodes to contract extension

Luke Rhodes gets a contract extension.

The Indianapolis Colts signed long snapper Luke Rhodes to a contract extension, the team announced Friday.

Rhodes has been the long snapper since converting from linebacker during the 2017 offseason. He earned the starting role in 2017 and signed a four-year extension during the 2019 offseason (kicking in 2020-2023). This was the final year of his contract.

The contract reportedly makes Rhodes the highest-paid long snapper in the NFL for the second time in his career. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the deal is reportedly for four years worth $6.465 million. It includes $2.5 million guaranteed and a $1.1 million signing bonus.

Rhodes will be signed through the 2027 season so the extension kicks in following 2023 campaign.

Rhodes has been one of the best long snappers in the NFL over the last handful of seasons. He earned All-Pro First Team and Pro Bowl honors during the 2021 season, and he was named to the All-Pro Second Team in 2020.

This marks the first contract extension the Colts have handed out since Shane Steichen took over as head coach.

Colts’ 2022 training camp preview: Special Teams

Wrapping up our training camp previews with the specialists.

Indianapolis Colts training camp is just about here as the rookies are set to report Saturday.

Wrapping up the training camp previews will be the specialists on the roster. Two of them are locks to make the 53-man roster while two others will battle it out for one position.

Be sure to check out the other position previews ahead of training camp:

Without further ado, here’s our preview for the special teams unit:

Best photos of Colts players from the Pro Bowl

Here are the best photos of Colts players from the Pro Bowl.

The Indianapolis Colts had six players represent the organization on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium for the Pro Bowl on Sunday with the AFC taking a 41-35 victory.

The NFL’s All-Star game has lost most of its appeal. It remains a big deal for the players to be voted as Pro Bowlers, but the game itself is nothing more than a walkthrough nowadays.

There’s simply no reason for the players to risk an injury in a meaningless game.

While the Colts had seven players voted to the Pro Bowl for the 2021 season, left guard Quenton Nelson didn’t participate due to an undisclosed injury. It still isn’t clear what kept him out but he was replaced by Tennessee Titans guard Roger Saffold.

We took a look at recapping how the Colts’ players performed in the AFC’s win. Here’s a look at the best photos we could find of the Colts during the NFL’s All-Star weekend:

How did the Colts players perform in the Pro Bowl?

Here’s how the Colts players performed in the Pro Bowl.

The Indianapolis Colts had six players participate in the Pro Bowl on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Though the Pro Bowl has lost nearly all of its flavor and intensity, the Colts still were well represented at the NFL’s All-Star game. Left guard Quenton Nelson did not participate due to an undisclosed injury.

Here’s a quick look at how the Colts’ players performed in the All-Star game on Sunday:

Colts’ special teams unit ranked 2nd-best in NFL

Bubba Ventrone’s special teams unit made their mark in 2021.

In his annual special teams rankings, Rick Gosselin of Sports Illustrated had the Indianapolis Colts finish the 2021 season all the way up at the No. 2 spot.

It should be no surprise at all that the Colts’ special teams unit was ranked so highly. The unit made an impact weekly on the outcomes of games while being led by Bubba Ventrone.

Only the Baltimore Ravens finished with a higher ranking than the Colts in the overall standing.

The Colts were tied for the fifth-best “opponent starting point” with an average at the 24-yard line. They were also ranked second-best with their own starting point at the 26-yard line.

The special teams unit was tied with the Cowboys for the most points scored (18). Those points came on the three touchdowns scored by E.J. Speed (twice) and Ashton Dulin.

The Colts were tied for the third-most blocked kicks (two) and tied for the most special-teams takeaways (three).

Showing off their discipline, the Colts committed just two penalties for 25 yards—the fewest in the NFL.

Nyheim Hines was 10th among punt returners, averaging 7.4 yards per return. Isaiah Rodgers averaged 26.4 yards per kick return, which is the third-highest average among players with at least 19 returns on the season.

On top of all that, long snapper Luke Rhodes was named to the All-Pro First-Team as well as a Pro Bowl. Meanwhile, special teams ace Ashton Dulin was named to the All-Pro Second-Team as well as a Pro Bowl alternate.

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3 Colts named to 2021 All-Pro First Team

The Colts had 3 players named to the All-Pro First Team, including the unanimous selection of Jonathan Taylor.

The Indianapolis Colts had three players named to the 2021 All-Pro First Team and two players named to the All-Pro Second Team, the Associated Press announced Friday.

The three players that were named to the First Team include running back Jonathan Taylor, linebacker Darius Leonard and long snapper Luke Rhodes. The two players that were named to the Second Team were left guard Quenton Nelson and special teamer/wide receiver Ashton Dulin.

Taylor was one of only five players to be voted unanimously to the First Team. The other four players included Davante Adams, Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald and T.J. Watt.

Leonard added his third All-Pro nod in four seasons while Rhodes capped off a stellar season with his first All-Pro selection. Rhodes was also named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.

Nelson snapped his streak of All-Pro First Team selections in his fourth season. He received the nod in each of his first three seasons and was the only offensive lineman in NFL history to do so. Meanwhile, Dulin was an active part of Bubba Ventrone’s special teams unit.

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Colts activate LS Luke Rhodes from COVID-19 list

The Colts activated Pro Bowl LS Luke Rhodes from the COVID-19 list.

The Indianapolis Colts activated long snapper Luke Rhodes from the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Wednesday.

Rhodes was placed on the list just before the Week 17 loss against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Colts signed veteran Kyle Nelson to replace him and then released Nelson this week with the anticipation that Rhodes would be activated.

Rhodes has been a key part of the special teams unit since 2017 and earned his first Pro Bowl nod this season.

With Rhodes off the list, the Colts currently do not have any players on the COVID-19 list entering Thursday.

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Colts rule out S Andrew Sendejo vs. Raiders in Week 17

Colts’ Andrew Sendejo (concussion) is the only player ruled out in Week 17.

Indianapolis Colts safety Andrew Sendejo was the only player ruled out Friday ahead of the Week 17 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders, head coach Frank Reich told reporters.

Sendejo has been in the league’s concussion protocol since initially suffering the head injury late in the Week 15 matchup against the New England Patriots. He has yet to practice since being placed in the protocol and this will be his second consecutive game missed.

With Khari Willis being activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list this week, the Colts are likely to roll with Willis and a combination of George Odum and Jahleel Addae.

In other injury news, left tackle Eric Fisher will be questionable. He didn’t practice during the first two days of the week and was seemingly limited on Friday. The final injury report will clear that up when its released later on Friday.

If Fisher can’t go due to his injuries, the Colts will lean on Matt Pryor to be the starter at left tackle.

The Colts also placed long snapper Luke Rhodes on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday so he’s unlikely to play on Sunday.

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Colts place Pro Bowl LS Luke Rhodes on COVID-19 list

Colts placed LS Luke Rhodes on the COVID-19 list.

The Indianapolis Colts placed long snapper Luke Rhodes on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Friday.

Even with the new protocols in place from the league, it’s unlikely Rhodes will be able to clear in time for Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders, one where the Colts can clinch a playoff berth if they win.

With Rhodes expected to miss the game, the Colts signed long snapper Kyle Nelson to the practice squad and released defensive end Da’Shawn Hand from the practice squad.

Rhodes, who earned his first Pro Bowl nod this season, is a key part of the special teams unit. Now, the Colts are likely going to have to lean on Nelson to be mistake-free against the Raiders.

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