Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
The Colts should not re-sign these four pending free agents.
The Indianapolis Colts have plenty of decisions to make over the next month when it comes to their in-house free agents.
While we already looked at which pending free agents they should bring back, now it’s time to take a look at which ones they should let walk into the market.
These decisions are difficult for just about everyone, but the NFL is a business.
Here are four pending free agents the Colts should let walk this offseason:
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:
These Colts will be unrestricted free agents in 2024.
The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up the 2023 regular season with a disappointing loss at home and now it’s time to look toward the 2024 offseason.
According to Over the Cap, the Colts are expected to have around $71.2 million in salary-cap space (fifth most) and $61.4 million in effective salary-cap space (third most) entering the 2024 offseason.
There are a number of players who have earned new contracts under the current coaching staff, which just concluded its first season. The front office also will likely restructure some contracts, and cut or trade some players, to free up some space even though it’s not as much of a priority this offseason.
But before we get into all of that, here are the Colts who are set to be unrestricted free agents in 2024:
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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Shane Steichen didn’t go into details about the suspensions, but he did mention the need for accountability.
The Indianapolis Colts made a somewhat surprising move Tuesday announcing the suspensions of wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie and cornerback Tony Brown for conduct detrimental to the team.
In meeting with the media Wednesday for the first time since those suspensions were announced, head coach Shane Steichen didn’t offer much in the way of details.
But he did mention the standard the team is trying to build.
“I’ll start off, as you guys have seen, we’ve suspended Isaiah McKenzie and Tony Brown. I know you guys are going to have questions regarding specifics, but it’s a matter that we’re handling internally and I’ve got nothing to add on that,” Steichen said.
When asked about the difficulty of deciding to self-impose suspensions, Steichen mentioned the importance of accountability.
“Yeah, no I think there are standards around here and we’ve got to hold people accountable. That’s it,” Steichen said.
Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reported Wednesday that both players’ lockers were cleared out.
Isaiah McKenzie and Tony Brown have had their lockers removed from the Colts locker room.
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) December 20, 2023
It still isn’t clear what led to the team suspending two key special teamers, and it isn’t clear when (or if) we will find out what happened.
What is clear is that Steichen is going to run a tight ship while trying to build a winning culture, something the players seemingly have responded to during the early part of his tenure.
“I think everything is case by case. There are certain things that happen on football teams, but again, there is going to be a standard set around here and people are going to be held accountable.”
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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.
The Colts suspended WR Isaiah McKenzie and CB Tony Brown for conduct detrimental to the team.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie and cornerback Tony Brown were suspended by the team three games for conduct detrimental to the team.
It isn’t clear what happened behind the scenes, but it explains why both players were healthy scratches during the Week 15 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
McKenzie was replaced by rookie Josh Downs as the punt returner in Week 15. He averaged an impressive 12.7 yards per return on three punts during the 30-13 win.
The Colts will have two roster spots to fill so it’s likely some move will be coming as they prepare for the Week 16 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
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The final injury report for the Colts and Patriots in Week 10.
The Indianapolis Colts (4-5) and New England Patriots (2-7) released their final injury reports Friday ahead of the Week 10 matchup at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Germany.
Here’s a look at the final injury report for the Colts in Week 9:
*DNP = Did Not Participate — LP = Limited Participant — FP = Full Participant*
Here’s a look at the final injury report for the Patriots in Week 10:
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Thursday’s injury report for the Colts and Patriots in Week 10.
The Indianapolis Colts (4-5) and New England Patriots (2-78) released their updated injury reports Thursday ahead of the Week 10 matchup at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Germany.
Here’s a look at the updated injury report for the Colts in Week 9:
*DNP = Did Not Participate — LP = Limited Participant — FP = Full Participant*
Here’s a look at the updated injury report for the Patriots in Week 10:
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Tony Brown won’t return due to a concussion.
Indiana[polis Colts cornerback Tony Brown suffered a concussion and will not return to the Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers.
Brown suffered the injury on the opening kickoff and was quickly ruled out for the game.
#Colts CB Tony Brown Jr. has been ruled OUT due to a concussion he sustained on the opening kickoff.
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) November 5, 2023
With Julius Brents inactive due to a quad injury, the Colts were relying on Brown as a depth option in the cornerback room. Now, the Colts likely will lean on Darrell Baker as the No. 3 cornerback.
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