When NFL teams trim down to their 53-man rosters, it’s never really the end of the road for everyone who gets cut. For the Indianapolis Colts, that’s exactly where things stand right now. The roster is locked, but the real behind-the-scenes grind begins with building out a practice squad—a unit that often becomes a lifeline during the long, grueling NFL season.
The Next Step After Roster Cuts
General Manager Chris Ballard has already made some difficult decisions. Now, the Colts’ front office shifts its focus to waiver claims and practice squad signings. Any player with fewer than four accrued seasons in the NFL can be claimed by another team up until noon Eastern on Wednesday. After that deadline passes, the Colts get their shot at bringing guys back onto the practice squad—essentially a reserve group of players who practice with the team and can be elevated to the active roster when injuries or roster crunches hit.
NFL rules allow for 16 players on the practice squad, with a bonus slot for a team with an International Pathway player. Out of those 16, ten must be first- or second-year guys. That means the Colts will be targeting a mix of raw talent, developmental prospects, and experienced depth pieces they trust.
Here’s where it gets interesting: while most practice squad additions come from the players who just got released in training camp, every year there are some outside surprises. But for Indianapolis, there’s a clear group of names they’d like to keep in the building. Let’s break down who those players are—and why the Colts might not be done with them yet.
Quarterback: Jason Bean
You don’t let a quarterback with upside just walk out the door, even if he isn’t ready for prime time yet. Jason Bean is exactly that kind of player. He’s got a raw game that needs refining, but his ability to extend plays with both his arm and his legs makes him intriguing. Think of him as the type of developmental quarterback you want stashed away—he’s not polished, but he has that “make something out of nothing” skill that you just can’t coach.
Running Back: Ulysses Bentley
Every year, an undrafted running back pops in preseason and makes teams second-guess cutting him. Ulysses Bentley might be this year’s version for Indy. He toted the rock 22 times this preseason, averaged 4.3 yards a carry, and scored twice. That’s not just decent—it’s efficient production behind second-string offensive lines. Even if he’s not ready for the 53-man roster, Bentley feels like the kind of runner you want waiting in the wings when depth gets thin in December.
Wide Receiver Depth: Coleman Owen & Laquon Treadwell
The Colts have two very different receiver cases here.
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Coleman Owen carved out a role as a slot receiver during camp. Reliable hands, good routes, and the bonus of having special teams versatility as a return man make him valuable. Coaches love guys who can do a little bit of everything, and Owen fits that mold.
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Laquon Treadwell is on the opposite end of the spectrum—a veteran who’s been around the block. He blew up in the preseason finale against the Bengals with six catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. Not to mention, he already knows Shane Steichen’s offense from last season. If injuries hit the wide receiver room, having a player like Treadwell on standby makes too much sense.
Cornerback Battles: Chris Lammons, Samuel Womack, and Alex Johnson
Cornerback was one of the toughest positions for the Colts to sort through.
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Chris Lammons had a strong preseason, allowing only three completions on nine targets while forcing three breakups. He’s also got special teams experience, which is often the tiebreaker when deciding practice squad priorities. Cutting him had to sting, which means Ballard will be eager to get him back.
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Samuel Womack, meanwhile, was slowed by an injury late in camp. But his tape from last season shows why he’s valuable: he has a nose for the football and creates turnovers. Those instincts are rare, and teams don’t just give up on that kind of ball production.
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And then there’s Alex Johnson, who arguably had one of the best camps of any corner. He picked off a pass, broke up two others, and played sticky coverage all preseason. He looked the part of a gamer, and keeping him around is almost a no-brainer.
Defensive Line Depth: Isaiah Land & Durell Nchami
The Colts had some serious competition at defensive end, and both Isaiah Land and Durell Nchami made cases for themselves.
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Land was one of the most disruptive pass rushers this preseason. Ranking 10th among all defensive ends in pass rush win rate, he racked up seven pressures and a sack. He wasn’t just a one-trick pony either, ranking 19th in run stop rate. That versatility makes him someone the Colts will want developing on the practice squad.
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Nchami, on the other hand, got a ton of reps because the starters barely played. He looked explosive as a pass rusher, logging five pressures on 41 pass rush snaps. For a young player, that kind of consistent disruption is exactly what you want to see.
Linebacker: Austin Ajiake
Linebacker depth is never a luxury—it’s a necessity. Austin Ajiake benefited from injuries at the position during camp, and he made the most of his chances. He started preseason games, earned praise from defensive coaches, and showcased solid range. With the way injuries pile up at linebacker, Ajiake feels like someone who could easily see regular-season snaps down the line.
Safety: Trey Washington
If you want consistency, Trey Washington is your guy. He made every single one of his 10 tackle attempts this preseason, which is the type of reliability coaches drool over. Targeted once in the passing game, he gave up just four yards. Even better, he showed versatility—lining up as both a free safety and in the box. That kind of plug-and-play adaptability screams practice squad material.
Why the Practice Squad Matters More Than Ever
Fans sometimes shrug at practice squad news, but it’s more important now than it’s ever been. Between the expanded 16-player size, the grind of an 18-week regular season, and the ever-present injury bug, these guys aren’t just “practice bodies.” They’re next man up, waiting for their shot.
The Colts in particular know how valuable this group can be. Just last year, multiple practice squad players ended up playing key roles down the stretch. Having veterans like Treadwell and Lammons alongside younger developmental prospects like Bean, Bentley, and Johnson gives the team a balanced insurance policy.
What Comes Next
By Wednesday afternoon, we’ll know which of these names actually make it back onto Indy’s practice squad. Not all of them will—some might get claimed by other teams, while others could choose to sign elsewhere if a better opportunity arises. But if Ballard has his way, a large chunk of this group will still be wearing blue and white this fall, just waiting for their call.
Because in the NFL, the distance from the practice squad to the starting lineup can sometimes be just one injury away.
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