Most significant move: The Indianapolis Colts received a lot of praise when they were able to convince receiver Duron Carter to sign with them over the Minnesota Vikings last winter. Carter had spent the previous two seasons playing in the Canadian Football League. He was impressive enough in training camp that you thought he would be able to push Donte Moncrief and Phillip Dorsett to be the Colts’ No. 3 receiver. But things changed once the preseason games started. He struggled running the proper routes in games. The Colts will likely sign Carter to their practice squad if he clears waivers, because he’s a talented player who needs to fine-tune his skills to have a chance in the NFL.
Two defensive linemen let go: A sign of things to come for nose tackle Josh Chapman and defensive tackle Montori Hughes happened in Thursday’s preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. Both were still in the game in the fourth quarter, a time when key players are supposed to have their cleats, shoulder pads and helmets off as they cheer on players trying to make a final effort to impress the coaching staff. Chapman started 15 games last season and Hughes had been backing up Arthur Jones, who was placed on injured reserve, during the preseason. Rookie David Parry will likely start at nose tackle, and the Colts could go with fellow rookie Henry Anderson at defensive tackle.
What’s next: The Colts, like they did last season, will pay attention to the waiver wire to see if they can find some players to add to their roster. They need experience at nose and defensive tackle with the release of Chapman and Hughes and the injury to Jones. The Colts signed center A.Q. Shipley after he was released by Baltimore last season. Shipley started their Week 1 game at Denver. The Colts will also look to fill out their practice squad.
Colts cuts/moves: G David Arkin, WR, Vincent Brown, OLB Daniel Adongo, QB Bryan Bennett, WR Quan Bray, WR Carter, CB Chance Casey, NT Chapman, ILB Carlos Fields, DT Hughes, T Ulrick John, OLB Cam Johnson, S Dewey McDonald, TE Sean McGrath, ILB Henoc Muamba, G Kitt O'Brien, CB Eric Patterson, DT Kelcy Quarles, TE Erik Swoope, CB Raymon Taylor and RB Zurlon Tipton. DT Jones and LB Junior Sylvestre were placed on injured reserve.