10 takeaways from final roster cuts, waiver claims

The Indianapolis Colts have made the necessary moves over the last week to trim the roster down to 53 players while making cuts and waiver claims.

The roster is never set in stone and will constantly be changing. The foundation is set, for the most part, but the back-end depth roles will always be rotating between players due to injuries and performance.

With final roster cuts and the big surge of waiver claims having passed, here are 10 takeaways for the Colts:

1
Sam Ehlinger makes it…for now

AP Photo/Doug McSchooler

It became apparent throughout the preseason that Ehlinger was making a strong case for a spot on the roster despite the fact that the Colts already had Matt Ryan and Nick Foles. Most teams wouldn’t even consider keeping a third quarterback.

But Ehlinger earned his spot on the roster by having an immaculate preseason. The question now remains: how long will they keep him on the roster?

General manager Chris Ballard was convinced Ehlinger would have been claimed if waived in an attempt to get him on the practice squad.

“I have no question. I think he earned a spot. He earned a spot,” Ballard said of other teams potentially claiming Ehlinger.

At some point, they are going to need that extra spot for depth at other positions. But for now, Ehlinger is on the 53-man roster.

2
A surprising cut

AP Photo/Doug McSchooler

If you’re wondering how much special teams plays a role in the RB3 spot for the Colts, just ask Phillip Lindsay, Throughout the entirety of training camp and the preseason, Lindsay was the clear third back behind Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines.

However, the role came down to choosing the player with the most upside on special teams. So the Colts went with second-year back Deon Jackson instead.

“I mean look, Phillip’s great and I’m not ruling out ever bringing him back again but Deon (Jackson), he did some good things too,” Ballard said Wednesday. “The special teams gave him the nod without question and that’s important.”

It was a surprising move considering Lindsay is the type of insurance teams want to have in case their starter goes down.

3
Mike Strachan survives

Syndication: The Indianapolis Star

Despite missing most of the spring and the majority of training camp, Strachan showed enough promise to survive roster cuts. That…