The Indianapolis Colts will be looking to get down to their mandated 53 man roster after their last preseason
game against the Cincinnati Bengals. This leads to many questions that have yet to be answered: Who will survive the cuts and who will be looking for work with another team? Who will jump up a spot or two on the depth charts and who will be relegated to the practice squad? Here are my best guesses as to how I feel the roster will shake out before their regular season kickoff against the Buffalo Bills.
QB (2)
Andrew Luck
Matt Hasselbeck
No surprise here, Bryan Bennett just isn’t ready to hold the clipboard yet, but he might be perfect for the practice squad.
RB (5)
Frank Gore
Dan Herron
Josh Robinson
Tyler Varga
Zurlon Tipton
This was tough for me as Tipton is on the bottom of the list and I could see how he might be left off in favor of another lineman or wide receiver. Unfortunately, I don’t see the once promising Vick Ballard making the squad.
WR (6)
T.Y. Hilton
Andre Johnson
Donte Moncrief
Phillip Dorsett
Griff Whalen
Duron Carter
I think this is how it will shake out with Carter being on the “bubble”, but I think he’s safe for now. At worst he will end up on the practice squad.
TE (3)
Coby Fleener
Dwayne Allen
Jack Doyle
No one here to add or subtract, the trio makes up a good combination for Pep to use depending upon the scheme/formation.
OL (9)
Anthony Costanzo
Lance Louis
Khaled Holmes
Todd Herremans
Jack Mewhort
Joe Reitz
Jonotthan Harrison
Hugh Thorton
David Arkin
The only name that might not make the list is Arkin as the team may go another route, but he has seen a lot of time in preseason with the second unit. He definitely might be one to go if a bigger need arises or a talented OL hits free agency after cuts.
DL (7)
Arthur Jones
Kendall Langford
Josh Chapman
Montori Hughes
David Parry
Zach Kerr
Henry Anderson
Arthur Jones’ injury may be serious enough to land him IR-Designated to return. This would open a temporary roster spot that could save someone in danger of being cut.
OLB (5)
Robert Mathis
Erik Walden
Trent Cole
Bjoern Werner
Jonathan Newsome
This unit seems locked in and should garner no surprises.
ILB (4)
Jerrell Freeman
D’Qwell Jackson
Nate Irving
Amarlo Herrera
This seems like it might be one player short, maybe Henoc Muamba squeaks in.
CB (5)
Vontae Davis
Greg Toler
Darius Butler
D’Joun Smith
Jalil Brown
The top three of Davis, Toler, and Butler are set in stone and D’Joun Smith and Jalil Brown also to be safe bets.
S (4)
Mike Adams
Dwight Lowery
Colt Anderson
Clayton Geathers
Adams and Lowery look to be an improvement over the combination of Adams and Landry from last season. Anderson looks solid and Geathers has been impressive enough to possibly start by season’s end.
ST (3)
Adam Vinatieri
Pat McAfee
Matt Overton
Behind Luck and Hasselbeck this is just about as obvious.
I don’t know about you, but I feel this will likely be final 53. Let us know in the comments where you think I’m wrong.
