One position group under the microscope as the Indianapolis Colts continue to build their 53-man roster ahead of Tuesday’s 4:00 p.m. E.T. deadline is linebacker.
Indy’s group going into this summer’s training camp was uninspiring. Zaire Franklin was the only player who came into camp locked in as a starter, with Jaylon Carlies the favorite to be the second starter alongside him.
But Carlies suffered an ankle injury early on which has kept him out since the preseason opener against the Ravens. As a result, the Colts placed him on injured reserve with a designation to return, meaning Carlies must miss a minimum of four games before being eligible to play in 2025.
With Carlies going to IR and the Colts also cutting Joseph Vaughn and Solomon DeShields, along with practice squad candidate Austin Ajiake, there seems to be a situation brewing where Indy brings in some fresh faces, according to the Indianapolis Star’s Joel Erickson.
“Indianapolis might be in the market for another linebacker,” Erickson wrote. “Even if Ajiake is back on the practice squad, it would leave the Colts potentially thin at the position.”
The Colts will likely utilize the waiver wire to take some fliers at linebacker, though their position in the waiver order may result in missing out on some of their target options. Only time will tell for how the position will eventually shake out.