Colts' 53-man roster projection: Why Jelani Woods, Sam Ehlinger didn't make the cut (2024)

The Indianapolis Colts still have three joint practices and two preseason games to go, but after finally returning to Lucas Oil Stadium, it feels like a good time to put together another 53-man roster projection. The preseason opener clarified how some of the position battles are shaking out, and a few injuries have already affected the final cut.

Let’s take a look at who Indianapolis may choose to chase its first playoff berth since 2020.

(R) denotes rookie

Quarterbacks: 2

In: Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco
Out: Sam Ehlinger, Kedon Slovis (R), Jason Bean (R)

The only debate here is whether Indy will keep three QBs, which it has done in the past. Since the league will allow teams to dress an emergency quarterback from its practice squad on game days this season, I don’t think there’s a desperate need to keep Ehlinger on the 53-man roster. That could open the door for him to be claimed off the practice squad by another team, though if that’s a big blow to the Colts, then that means something has gone terribly wrong with Richardson and Flacco.

#Colts OC Jim Bob Cooter calls it "optimistic upside" when evaluating QB Anthony Richardson in the preseason. Meaning, since AR hasn't been fully unleashed, the offense isn't always sure if it was stopped because it was *really* stopped or because they're protecting AR.

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) August 13, 2024

Running backs: 4

In: Jonathan Taylor, Trey Sermon, Evan Hull, Tyler Goodson
Out: Zavier Scott (R), Demetric Felton

I did not have Goodson making the cut in my previous roster projection, but with the Colts’ primary backup, Sermon, sidelined due to a hamstring injury, it may convince them to keep four running backs if Sermon is going to miss extended time. Felton recently replaced undrafted rookie Trent Pennix, who suffered a groin injury in the preseason opener and was waived, though he’s unlikely to make the team. Goodson and Hull are capable pass catchers and may be valuable on third downs if Taylor needs a breather.

Wide receivers: 6

In: Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell (R), Ashton Dulin, Anthony Gould (R)
Out: Tyrie Cleveland, Ethan Fernea, D.J. Montgomery, Juwann Winfree, Derek Slywka (R), Laquon Treadwell

This six-man group feels like a safe bet for the final roster. Obviously, Downs’ high-ankle sprain has put his Week 1 availability in question, but I think Gould has stepped up enough throughout camp to show he can be a viable option in the slot. He’s impressed as a return man as well, which isn’t surprising given how he thrived in that role at Oregon State. Mitchell also has received an increased number of slot reps in Downs’ absence. Dulin makes the cut for his special teams prowess, and Pierce even took some gunner reps in the preseason opener.

Tight ends: 4

In: Mo Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson, Will Mallory, Drew Ogletree
Out: Jelani Woods, Jordan Murray, Eric Tomlinson

Cutting Woods was the toughest decision I made while projecting this roster. The 2022 third-round pick missed all of last season due to repeated hamstring injuries, and while he’s back healthy again, he hasn’t done anything to separate himself from the pack. He’s been inconsistent throughout camp and has rarely received first-team reps. Indy clearly doesn’t have a true No. 1 tight end and Woods, for all of his athletic gifts, has failed to show he can be relied upon. Alie-Cox and Ogletree are better blockers, while Granson and Mallory are arguably better receivers.

Offensive linemen: 9

In: LT Bernhard Raimann, LG Quenton Nelson, C Ryan Kelly, RG Will Fries, RT Braden Smith, OT Blake Freeland, C/G Tanor Bortolini (R), OT Matt Goncalves (R), G Dalton Tucker (R)
Out: G Arlington Hambright, G Josh Sills, OT Jake Witt, C Danny Pinter, C Ryan Coll (R), C Wesley French

The Colts’ offensive line depth took a blow when French sustained a season-ending ankle injury in practice last week. He was splitting second-string center reps with Bortolini, who appears to be the clear-cut backup behind four-time Pro Bowler Ryan Kelly. Tucker, an undrafted rookie, makes the cut thanks to a strong showing during training camp that translated to a noteworthy performance in Indianapolis’ preseason debut.

Defensive linemen: 9

In: DT DeForest Buckner, DT Grover Stewart, DE Kwity Paye, DE Dayo Odeyingbo, DE Laiatu Latu (R), DT Taven Bryan, DT Adetomiwa Adebawore, DE Tyquan Lewis, DE Isaiah Land
Out: DE Samson Ebukam, DT Raekwon Davis, DE Genard Avery, DE Titus Leo, DT Eric Johnson II, DT Jonah Laulu (R)

Ebukam, the Colts’ leader in sacks last year (9.5), tore his Achilles just three days into training camp. His season-ending injury was a huge blow for a group that set the Indianapolis-era record with 51 sacks in 2023. Davis, whom the Colts signed to a two-year, $14 million deal in March, also remains sidelined (high blood pressure). He’s currently on the non-football injury list.

The absence of Davis and Ebukam opens the door for veteran backup Bryan and 24-year-old Land to make the final roster. Although Land hasn’t done much in the NFL, Colts GM Chris Ballard has always valued depth on both lines, so it’s hard for me to see the team keeping fewer than nine defensive linemen. If Davis returns before the season, Land would get bumped to the practice squad.

Linebackers: 5

In: Zaire Franklin, E.J. Speed, Segun Olubi, Grant Stuard, Jaylon Carlies (R)
Out: Austin Ajiake, Liam Anderson, Cameron McGrone, Craig Young (R)

The Colts are betting on Speed, who will be a full-time starter this year for the first time in his career, and Franklin to stay healthy and lead this group. Carlies flashed potential as a solid reserve until he injured his hip early in training camp. Assuming he can regain his health before the season starts, I think the fifth-round pick has a chance to make the team. If not, perhaps Anderson or McGrone could make a case for one of the last spots. Olubi and Stuard are serviceable depth pieces and offer special teams skills.

Cornerbacks: 6

In: Kenny Moore II, JuJu Brents, Jaylon Jones, Dallis Flowers, Jaylin Simpson (R), Micah Abraham (R)
Out: Darrell Baker Jr., Clay Fields III (R), Chris Lammons, Ameer Speed

Nothing has changed about this unit to make me think someone could surprise us and make the team. If we’ve learned anything from the preseason so far, it’s more so about how the cornerback room is shaking out. Brents and Jones appear to have pulled away from the pack and will likely start alongside Moore. Flowers has struggled in coverage but can still be a productive kick returner, while rookies Simpson and Abraham add depth.

Safeties: 5

In: Julian Blackmon, Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas II, Ronnie Harrison Jr., Trevor Denbow
Out: Kendell Brooks (R), Marcel Dabo, Daniel Scott, Michael Tutsie

The Colts are still toying with who will start alongside Blackmon on the backend. Cross earned the starting job in the preseason opener and looked better at free safety than strong safety, according to Indianapolis defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. Perhaps the team will stick with that setup, but don’t be surprised if that changes. Cross, a 2022 third-round pick, appears to have a slight lead on the starting job, though Thomas and Harrison have also received a notable amount of starting reps in training camp. Denbow sticks around as an emergency option.

#Colts DC Gus Bradley says this wasn't a miscommunication between S Nick Cross and CB Dallis Flowers. Cross was indeed supposed to take the out route here and was a hair late because he wasn't lined up wide enough, according to Bradley. https://t.co/pczEdHAaRn

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) August 13, 2024

Specialists: 3

In: P Rigoberto Sanchez, K Matt Gay, LS Luke Rhodes
Out: (R) Spencer Shrader

Gay missed a 54-yard field goal attempt wide left in the Colts’ preseason opener, but there isn’t a competition between him and Shrader. That was not an easy attempt, and Gay has proven to be one of the best kickers in the league in recent years. After struggling during the second half of last season, Indy remains confident Gay can regain his Pro Bowl-caliber form.

(Photo of Jelani Woods: Christine Tannous / IndyStar / USA Today)

James Boyd is a Staff Writer for The Athletic covering the Indianapolis Colts. Before joining The Athletic, James was the Indiana Pacers beat writer for The Indianapolis Star. James is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and grew up in Romeoville, Illinois. Follow James on Twitter @romeovillekid