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Tracker: Colts Begin Roster Cuts Ahead of Deadline

The Indianapolis Colts must have their roster cut down to 53 players by 4:00 p.m. E.T. on Tuesday, and their cuts have already begun.
Aug 23, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; CO-Owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts Carlie Irsay-Gordon talks to Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USAToday Network via Imagn Images
Aug 23, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; CO-Owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts Carlie Irsay-Gordon talks to Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USAToday Network via Imagn Images | Grace Hollars-USAToday Network via Imagn Images

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The Indianapolis Colts must chop their roster down from its current 91 players to 53 by 4:00 p.m. E.T. on Tuesday. However, they've reportedly already begun making their moves.

You can keep track of the Colts and their cuts here throughout the roster cut period until the team gets to its 53-man roster. This week, there will be a bevy of roster moves, including cuts, waiver claims, free-agent signings, and injury designations.


LB Austin Ajiake

The Colts are waiving linebacker Austin Ajiake, per Erickson. He's expected to be signed to the practice squad if Ajiake clears waivers.

WR Ajou Ajou

The Colts have waived wide receiver Ajou Ajou, per Erickson.

Indianapolis Colts’ linebacker Jaylon Carlies and teammates wait their turn during drills at Colts Camp.
Indianapolis Colts’ linebacker Jaylon Carlies (#57), left, and teammates wait their turn during drills at Colts Camp at Grand Park Sports Campus, Tuesday, July 29, 2025 in Westfield.v | Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

LB Jaylon Carlies (IR)

The Colts plan to place second-year linebacker Jaylon Carlies on Injured Reserve, with a designation to return, per Erickson. Carlies has an ankle injury and would have to miss at least the first four games.

DT Devonta Davis

The Colts have parted with undrafted rookie defensive tackle Devonta Davis, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Davis saw action in all three preseason games, seeing 54 snaps on defense and accumulating three tackles and one QB pressure. Pro Football Focus credited Davis with "stops" (a forced offensive failure) on all three tackles.

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LB Solomon DeShields

The Colts cut undrafted rookie linebacker Solomon DeShields, per Wilson. DeShields had a solid summer between training camp and the preseason, flashing the ability to quickly get to the ball on screens and outside runs, similar to former Colts linebacker E.J. Speed. DeShields played 30 special teams snaps and 58 defensive snaps, per PFF, and had six tackles. DeShields had one missed tackle and was credited with allowing both pass targets in his area.

IOL Wesley French

The Colts are waiving interior offensive lineman Wesley French, per James Boyd of The Athletic.

DE Marcus Haynes

The Colts waived defensive end Marcus Haynes, per Erickson.

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Alex Johnson (39) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Baltimore Ravens.
Aug 7, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Alex Johnson (39) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images | Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

CB Alex Johnson

The Colts parted with cornerback Alex Johnson, per Wilson. Johnson was having an impressive summer, especially intercepting a ball in the Colts' first preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, where Johnson corralled the ball with one hand. He saw significant reps with the first and second-team defense while the Colts dealt with injuries to Jaylon Jones, JuJu Brents, and Justin Walley. Johnson played 101 defensive snaps and 18 on special teams this preseason, totaling nine tackles, one interception, and four pass breakups. Per PFF, Johnson allowed 3-of-8 pass targets and missed one tackle.

OT Marcellus Johnson

The Colts are waiving offensive tackle Marcellus Johnson, per Erickson, and Johnson is a potential practice squad target.

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Chris Lammons (38) leaves the field after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium.
Aug 23, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Chris Lammons (38) leaves the field after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USAToday Network via Imagn Images | Grace Hollars-USAToday Network via Imagn Images

CB Chris Lammons

The Colts released cornerback Chris Lammons, per Erickson. Lammons was with the Colts for the last couple of season, but was not brought back until August. He had a solid summer, however.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Desmond Ridder is hit by Indianapolis Colts DE Isaiah Land (55).
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) is hit by Indianapolis Colts defensive end Isaiah Land (55), Indianapolis Colts linebacker Austin Ajiake (58) and Indianapolis Colts linebacker Cameron McGrone (59) on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. | Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

DE Isaiah Land

The Colts are waiving defensive end Isaiah Land, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Land had an excellent summer after being developed by the Colts over the last couple of seasons.

DE Desmond Little

The Colts have waived undrafted rookie defensive end Desmond Little, per Joel Erickson of The Indianapolis Star.

TE Maximilian Mang

The Colts are expected to part with undrafted rookie tight end Maximilian Mang and will try to get him on the practice squad as their International Player Pathway program participant, per Erickson.

TE Sean McKeon

The Colts are releasing tight end Sean McKeon, per Erickson.

DE Durell Nchami

The Colts have waived defensive end Durell Nchami, per Erickson.

RB Nate Noel

The Colts have waived rookie undrafted running back Nate Noel, per Erickson.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Coleman Owen rushes the ball in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium.
Aug 23, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Coleman Owen (3) rushes the ball in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USAToday Network via Imagn Images | Grace Hollars-USAToday Network via Imagn Images

WR Coleman Owen

The Colts are waiving undrafted rookie Coleman Owen, per Erickson, and Owen is a likely practice squad target. Owen was one of the biggest standout performers of the summer.

WR Landon Parker

The Colts have waived wide receiver Landon Parker, per Erickson.

WR Blayne Taylor

The Colts have waived undrafted rookie wide receiver Blayne Taylor, per Erickson.

DB Ladarius Tennison

The Colts have waived undrafted rookie defensive back Ladarius Tennison, per Erickson.

LB Joseph Vaughn

The Colts cut undrafted rookie linebacker Joseph Vaughn, per Wilson. Vaughn was only picked up by the Colts a week ago but saw action in their preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals, seeing 15 defensive snaps and 10 on special teams. Defensively, Vaughn received a grade of 90.6, per PFF, totaling two tackles (one for loss). Both tackles were considered "stops," but he did miss one tackle.

S Trey Washington

The Colts are waiving undrafted rookie safety Trey Washington, per Erickson, and Washington is a candidate for the practice squad.

Indianapolis Colts TE Jelani Woods celebrates a since-negated touchdown catch against the Green Bay Packers.
Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods (80) celebrates a touchdown catch on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

TE Jelani Woods

The Colts are waiving tight end Jelani Woods, per Erickson. After flashing as a rookie in 2022, Woods missed the 2023 and 2024 seasons while dealing with hamstring and foot injuries, respectively. He stayed healthy and had a good summer, but the Colts have other tight ends on the roster that they like.

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Jake Arthur
JAKE ARTHUR

Jake Arthur is the co-deputy editor of Indianapolis Colts on SI and has covered the NFL and the Indianapolis Colts for a decade. He is a member of the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA), and his works have been featured on SBNation, MSN, Yahoo, and Bleacher Report. He has also contributed to multiple NFL Draft guides and co-hosts the Locked On Colts podcast.

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