Indianapolis Colts News

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Corey Ballentine  • CB  •  Colts

Colts Sign Corey Ballentine To One-Year Deal On Friday

The Indianapolis Colts signed former Green Bay Packers cornerback Corey Ballentine to an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday, according to the Indianapolis Star's Joel A. Erickson. The move to add Ballentine comes after the Colts spent big bucks early in free agency earlier this week to add to their secondary when they brought in free safety Camryn Bynum and cornerback Charvarius Ward. Ballentine, 28, has mostly been a core special-teamer in his career since being drafted in the sixth round (180th overall) by the New York Giants in 2019 out of Washburn College. He played more the last two seasons with the Packers, seeing action in 29 games, but only seven of those were starts. Ballentine put up 49 tackles (34 solo) the last two years with one interception and a forced fumble. The Colts will likely be looking to use Ballentine to upgrade their special teams first.
Mar 15   
Spencer Shrader  • K  •  Colts

Spencer Shrader Reunites With Colts

The Indianapolis Colts announced on Thursday that they have signed free-agent kicker Spencer Shrader to an undisclosed deal. Shrader will return to Indianapolis after making all three of his extra points in the Week 1 loss to the division-rival Houston Texans. The 25-year-old also appeared in games with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs in his first year in the NFL in 2024, going a combined 5-for-5 on field-goal attempts (zero attempts from 50-plus yards) and 9-for-9 on extra-point tries. Shrader didn't miss a single kick, but it was also a small sample size. He was brought in to compete with veteran Matt Gay this summer after Gay made just 83.8 percent of his 37 field-goal attempts in his second year with the team. Whoever wins the competition should be left to the waiver wire in 12-team fantasy leagues.
Mar 14   
Khalil Herbert  • RB  •  Colts

Colts, Khalil Herbert Agree On One-Year Deal

The Indianapolis Colts and free-agent running back Khalil Herbert reached an agreement on an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Herbert began the 2024 season with the Chicago Bears and had only eight carries for 16 yards and a touchdown in six games before being traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, where he finished with 28 carries for 114 yards and no touchdowns in eight games behind Chase Brown. Now in Indianapolis, the 26-year-old will have a similar backup role to Jonathan Taylor. Because he's unlikely to see much volume unless Taylor misses time with an injury, Herbert will mainly be a handcuff in deeper leagues for those that draft Taylor. The former sixth-rounder (217th overall) by the Bears in 2021 has averaged 4.8 yards per carry on 400 rushing attempts for 1,905 yards and nine TDs in his four years in the NFL.
Mar 12   
Anthony Richardson  • QB  •  Colts  |  Daniel Jones  • QB  •  Vikings

Colts To Have Opening Competition Between Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones

The Indianapolis Colts are preparing for an open quarterback competition between Anthony Richardson, who is healthy and has no plans to seek a trade, and Daniel Jones, agent Deiric Jackson told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. "AR will be ready to roll," Jackson said. The plan all along was for the Colts to bring another QB in to compete with Richardson, who missed time with another injury in 2024 and was also benched in favor of veteran Joe Flacco. Jones will be that guy after inking a one-year, $14 million deal with Indy after he was cut by the New York Giants a season ago. The 27-year-old latched on with the Minnesota Vikings late in the year but never played. As long as Richardson stays healthy, it would be an upset if Jones won the job over him, but Richardson definitely needs to show improvement as a passer to take the next step. If Richardson wins the job, he'll have QB1 upside because of his rushing prowess.
Mar 11   
Braden Smith  • OT  •  Colts

Colts Agree To Revised Deal With Braden Smith

The Indianapolis Colts and right tackle Braden Smith (personal) agreed to a revised deal on Monday to keep him in town for the 2025 season, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Smith will become a free agent again in 2026. The 28-year-old offensive tackle was set to count $19.75 million against the salary cap in 2025 despite missing the final games of last year due to personal issues. "He's doing really well and he wants to play football. We'll work through the rest of it," general manager Chris Ballard said at the NFL Combine at the end of February. Since being selected in the second round of the 2018 draft out of Auburn, Smith has started 92 games at right tackle in Indy. Smith was also held back by injuries in 2023 and was only able to start 10 games, but as long as he's in the right frame of mind and healthy, he should return to being a starter at right tackle for the Colts in 2025.
Mar 11   
Camryn Bynum  • S  •  Colts

Camryn Bynum Joins The Colts On Four-Year Deal

Former Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum agreed to terms on a four-year, $60 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Bynum will head to the AFC South after he was originally drafted in the fourth round (125th overall) by the Vikings in 2021 out of California. The 26-year-old defensive back started all 17 regular-season games for the Vikings in each of the last three years and had 96 tackles (54 solo), a career-high three interceptions and a career-high 10 pass breakups in his fourth year in Minnesota in 2024. Bynum had a career-best 137 combined tackles (94 solo) in 2023, so he definitely can be useful in IDP fantasy leagues. He should be a starter in his new home with the Colts in 2025 and beyond across from Nick Cross, who is one of the best IDP safeties in football.
Mar 11   
Ashton Dulin  • WR  •  Colts

Colts Re-Sign Ashton Dulin To Two-Year Deal

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Indianapolis Colts re-signed wide receiver Ashton Dulin to a two-year, deal worth up to $8.5 million on Monday, according to a source. Dulin missed all of the 2023 campaign due to a torn ACL in his knee but returned in 2024 to play in 15 games (two starts) in his sixth year in Indy. The 27-year-old pass-catcher hauled in only two of eight targets in 15 games played for 67 yards and one touchdown. He has never really been a big factor on offense for the Colts since he debuted in the NFL in 2019. Dulin's best season was in 2022, when he had a 15-207-1 line on 22 targets over 12 games played (two starts). He won't suddenly become a big factor on offense in 2025 but should remain a key special-teams player for the Colts. Dulin has 35 career catches on 60 targets for 517 yards and four touchdowns in his 70 games (five starts).
Mar 11   
Charvarius Ward  • CB  •  Colts

Charvarius Ward Signing With Colts

The Indianapolis Colts have agreed on a deal with free-agent defensive back Charvarius Ward on Monday. They've agreed on a three-year, $60 million that includes $35 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus. This is a nice pickup for the Colts who have already improved their defense this offseason. Ward earned his way to the Pro Bowl in 2023 and has been a quality defender throughout his career. He has spent each of the last three seasons with the San Francisco 49ers after beginning his career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018. The Colts have added safety Cam Bynum as well, so hopefully this will be an improved defense in 2025.
Mar 10   
Raekwon Davis  • DT  •  Colts

Colts Release Raekwon Davis

The Indianapolis Colts released defensive lineman Raekwon Davis on Friday, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The move saves the Colts $6.49 million on the 2025 salary cap. Davis was officially cut with a non-football illness designation. The 27-year-old defensive tackle played in all 17 games in his first year with the Colts in 2024 but didn't start a single game. In those 17 contests, he had only 15 tackles (seven solo), one tackle for loss and one pass breakup. The Colts signed Davis to a two-year, $14 million deal last offseason. Davis will now look to latch on with another team as defensive line depth in free agency. He was originally a second-round pick (56th overall) by the Miami Dolphins in 2020 out of the University of Alabama. In his five seasons in the NFL, Davis has 144 tackles (66 solo), two sacks, six tackles for loss and 10 QB hits in 80 games (48 starts).
Mar 7   
Anthony Richardson  • QB  •  Colts

Anthony Richardson To Be Involved In Open Competition At QB

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said on Tuesday that the team will have an open competition at quarterback this offseason between Anthony Richardson and another player that is brought in. The Colts could draft a signal-caller -- they have the 14th overall pick in this year's NFL draft -- or pick a veteran up in free agency to compete with Richardson, who disappointed in his sophomore season and was limited to 11 starts due to more injuries and a benching. The 22-year-old former fourth overall pick out of Florida in 2023 only played in four games in his rookie season. Through his first two seasons in the NFL, Richardson has proved injury-prone and is a reliability in terms of accuracy, as he completed only 47.7% of his 264 pass attempts for 1,814 yards, eight TDs and 12 interceptions. The rushing upside is great, but fantasy managers will probably value him as more of an upside QB2 in 2025 if he wins the starting job.
Feb 26   
Braden Smith  • OT  •  Colts

Colts Likely To Go In Another Direction With Braden Smith

The Athletic's James Boyd writes that the writing has been on the wall for the Indianapolis Colts to cut ties with right tackle Braden Smith this offseason, even if he had played in every game in 2024. Smith is entering the final year of his four-year, $70 million contract extension and missed the last five games of 2024 due to an undisclosed personal matter. The 28-year-old's salary is untenable for a player who also missed seven games in 2023 due to an assortment of wrist, foot, hip and knee injuries. Cutting Smith would save the Colts $16.75 million against the 2025 salary cap with only $3 million in dead money. Boys believes that Smith is probably past his prime at this point, and Indy might be better off going with second-year offensive lineman Matt Goncalves at right tackle this year.
Feb 21   
Dayo Odeyingbo  • DE  •  Colts

Colts Unlikely To Use Franchise Tag On Dayo Odeyingbo

ESPN's Stephen Holder writes that it's unlikely the Indianapolis Colts will commit more than $20 million to impending free-agent defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo via the franchise tag when they already have a lot invested in their defensive line, even though Odeyingbo led the Colts with 33 QB pressures in 2024 and has 16 sacks in the last three seasons. The Colts took care of most of their top free agent last offseason -- receiver Michael Pittman Jr., cornerback Kenny Moore II, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and linebacker Zaire Franklin. The 25-year-old Odeyingbo played a full season for the third straight year in 2024, but his sack total dropped from eight in 2023 to just three. Because of how much the Colts have already invested in their D line, it would not be a surprise to see them let Odeyingbo walk on the open market.
Feb 19   
Ajou Ajou  • WR  •  Colts

Colts Sign Ajou Ajou To Futures Deal

The Indianapolis Colts announced on Friday that they signed free-agent wide receiver Ajou Ajou to a Reserve/Futures deal. Ajou will head to the NFL after spending the 2024 season playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, where he caught 20 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games. The 6-foot-3, 218-pounder was taken by the Roughriders in the seventh round of this year's CFL draft after playing collegiately at Garden City Community College, Clemson and South Florida. He had eight catches for 114 yards and a touchdown in 22 games at Clemson and 17 catches for 186 yards and two scores in his seven games at community college. Ajou played in just one game at South Florida. He will now continue his development in the NFL with the Colts but will be a long shot to make the active roster out of training camp this summer.
Jan 24   
Anthony Richardson  • QB  •  Colts

Anthony Richardson To Work With Biometric Coach This Offseason

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, the fourth overall pick in 2023, dealt with more injuries in his second NFL season in 2024 and did nothing to solidify himself as the long-term franchise QB in Indy. Richardson regressed as a passer, with his completion percentage dropping more than 11% points from his rookie year. In addition, his interceptions went up and there were questions about his off-field preparation, which led to a two-game benching in the middle of the year. The good news is that Richardson is healthy this offseason after missing the last two games of the year with a back injury, and he's already resumed throwing. His work this offseason with include refining his throws and throwing with more touch. Richardson will also be focusing on overall technique and plans to work with biometric expert Chris Hess. If Richardson can stay healthy and improves his footwork and throwing mechanics, he absolutely has QB1 upside in fantasy.
Jan 21   
Michael Pittman Jr.  • WR  •  Colts

Michael Pittman Jr. Doesn't Need Surgery On His Back

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said that wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) will not require surgery for the fractured back that he played through late in the 2024 season. "One tough dude. Example of what you want," Ballard said. It's a testament to Pittman's toughness that he missed just one game due to his back injury. But the 27-year-old's back issues and inconsistent play from the quarterback position in Indianapolis in 2024 led to Pittman posting only 808 receiving yards -- his fewest since his rookie season in 2020 -- to go with 69 receptions (also his lowest mark since 2020) and only three touchdowns in 16 games. Better health will give him a chance to rebound in 2025, but his overall upside might be dependent on quarterback Anthony Richardson's health and his ability to improve as a passer.
Jan 10   
Anthony Richardson  • QB  •  Colts

Colts To Add Competition For Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said the team will add competition to the quarterback room in 2025, in part because Anthony Richardson (back) hasn't been able to stay healthy for a full season yet early on in his career. In addition to injury issues, Richardson's accuracy concerns continue to be a problem. "We knew when we took him it was going to be a roller coaster," Ballard said of Richardson. "The number one thing we have to figure out and have to work through is he's got to stay healthy. That, to me, is the biggest question. We have to have competition at the position because competition makes you better and because he's not proven he can stay healthy for 17 games," Ballard said. The 22-year-old has started 15 of a possible 34 games in his first two NFL seasons. While his rushing ability is top tier, Richardson needs to stay healthy and improve as a passer to maintain his starting role in Indy.
Jan 10   
Anthony Richardson  • QB  •  Colts

Anthony Richardson Will Be Colts Starter In 2025

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (back) will be the team's starter in 2025, according to team sources. Head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard will also get at least one more year to improve the team next season, owner Jim Irsay announced on Sunday night. The Colts missed the playoffs in 2024 for the fourth straight season, which is the club's longest playoff drought since a seven-year streak from 1988-94. Going into his third year in the NFL, Richardson's stock is down considerably with more doubt than ever about his ability to be a franchise QB. He missed the Week 18 regular-season finale with a back injury that he said "might be chronic" and has missed 17 games in his first two seasons due to injury. Richardson finished with the league's lowest completion percentage (47.7), and his 61.6 passer rating is the third-worst by a QB with at least 250 pass attempts since 2010.
Jan 6   
Michael Pittman Jr.  • WR  •  Colts

Michael Pittman Jr. Dealing With Fracture In His Back

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) admitted that he's been playing through a small fracture in his back. Pittman first noticed it during a joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals in training camp, and a scan showed the extent of the injury. He decided to play through his back injury and had a follow-up scan in Week 3. The 27-year-old will have another scan on Monday to determine if he'll require offseason surgery. Surprisingly, Pittman only missed one game in 2024, although his back injury certainly played a part in what was a down season for his standards. He finished with 69 receptions on 111 targets for 808 yards -- his lowest total since his rookie season in 2020 -- and only three touchdowns in 16 games. Second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson's own injuries and inaccuracy didn't help Pittman's cause in 2024.
Jan 6   
Joe Flacco  • QB  •  Colts

Joe Flacco Delivers Big Touchdown Strike Sunday

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco completed 23 of his 40 pass attempts for 264 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in overtime. His touchdown pass was a 40-yard completion to Alec Pierce in the first quarter. The 39-year-old was one of the more productive and most utilized backup quarterbacks in the NFL this season, racking up 1,761 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 11 turnovers through eight games. Flacco's future beyond the 2024 campaign remains undecided, but if he does choose to return for another year, he'll be an intriguing backup option in free agency. He could return to the Colts as the No. 2 option behind Anthony Richardson, but he'd likely generate interest from several other teams, too.
Jan 6   
Josh Downs  • WR  •  Colts

Josh Downs Productive On Large Target Share Sunday

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs caught 10 of his 13 targets for 94 yards during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts' passing attack has seen a significant boost ever since quarterback Joe Flacco took over for the injured Anthony Richardson (back), but Downs truly took his productivity to the next level during Sunday's season finale. He finishes the 2024 campaign with 72 catches, 803 yards, and five touchdowns. Each of these three marks represented season-highs, topping the totals he delivered as a rookie last year. Downs has firmly established himself as an appealing 1B option with the Colts, pairing nicely alongside their 1A receiver, Michael Pittman Jr. The UNC product will rank as a high-end WR3 when 2025 fantasy football drafts kick off next summer, and he has even greater appeal in dynasty leagues.
Jan 6   
LEGEND
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