Colts Release Center to Make Room for New Kicker

The Indianapolis Colts cut an offensive lineman to pave the way for Blake Grupe.

Jul 25, 2024; East Rutherford, NY, USA; New York Giants center Jimmy Morrissey (67) jogs to the sideline during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. | Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

The Indianapolis Colts officially announced they have signed kicker Blake Grupe to the practice squad after waiving Michael Badgley less than 24 hours before.

Grupe was signed to the practice squad, leaving an active roster spot open. The team also announced they have released center Jimmy Morrissey from the practice squad to make way for Grupe.

we have signed K Blake Grupe to the practice squad and released C Jimmy Morrissey from the practice squad.

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 3, 2025

Grupe was cut by the New Orleans Saints just over a week ago after he missed two field goals against the Atlanta Falcons. Grupe has made 18 of his 26 field goal attempts this year (69.2%) and has cashed in all 15 of his extra point attempts.

Why Did the Colts Cut Badgley?

After seven games with the Colts this season, Badgley was released for multiple reasons. He missed three extra points, with the most costly miss being against the Houston Texans. That miss forced the Colts into a touchdown-or-bust scenario on their final drive of the game.

Had it been a three-point game, the Colts could have settled for a field goal to send the game to overtime.

Nov 9, 2025; Berlin, Germany; Indianapolis Colts place kicker Michael Badgley (12) attempts a field goal against the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL Berlin Game at Olympic Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Badgley also missed a long-range field goal against the Falcons in Week 10, but he came through with a clutch field goal to send the game to overtime later on.

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Is Grupe Any Better?

Grupe has been the Saints' kicker since 2023, but a career-worst season forced the team to move on from him. Across 45 games played, Grupe has knocked through 75 of his 94 field goal attempts and 86 of his 88 extra point attempts.

Nov 9, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New Orleans Saints place kicker Blake Grupe (19) kicks a field goal during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Here's a breakdown of his attempts from every yardage.

• 20-29 Yards — 21/23
• 30-39 Yards — 22/25
• 40-49 Yards — 17/23
• 50+ Yards — 15/23

The former Notre Dame kicker is back in Indiana, and he'll have a lot to prove as the Colts continue to compete for a playoff spot and AFC South title.

Jimmy Morrissey

Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Houston Texans center Jimmy Morrissey (79) lines up against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Morrissey signed with the Colts' practice squad back in September, but he never appeared in a game this season. Morrissey spent three years with the Houston Texans from 2021 to 2023, starting in four games across that span.

Morrissey spent the last two offseasons with the New York Giants, but he was waived during final roster cuts both times.

Originally a seventh-round draft pick by the Las Vegas Raiders out of Pitt, Morrissey is in his fifth year of professional football. Morrissey earned the Burlsworth Trophy as a redshirt senior, an award that honors the best Division 1 football player who began his career as a walk-on.