clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Colts Make First Wave Of Cuts, Part Ways With Caldwell, Rucker [UPDATE] Whalen to IR

By Stewart Blake
Getty Images

As teams slim down their rosters to the initial 75 for the 4 p.m. Monday deadline, NFL hopefuls from around the league are introduced to the reality of the business that is, well, professional football. However, veterans can also come face to face with the chopping block, as illustrated by Colts' initial cuts.

Eleven cuts were made on Sunday night, bringing the Colts roster to 80 players:

  • CB Cameron Chism
  • CB Terrence Johnson
  • CB Antonio Fenelus
  • CB Chris Rucker
  • S David Caldwell
  • S Matt Merletti
  • LB Mike Balogun
  • RB Alvester Alexander
  • WR Quan Cosby
  • G Jason Foster
  • P Brian Stahovich

Terrence Johnson showed very little to justify a roster spot, and with the addition of Vontae Davis to compliment a now-crowded CB corps, the Colts look to be much more solid at a position that once screamed "HELP!" Also, the big CB Chris Rucker--drafted in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft--was given his walking papers. Rucker was a physical specimen, but he saw limited action and failed to impress the new regime.

David Caldwell started 13 games in 2011. Before being cut, he slipped to third on the depth chart behind Tom Zbikowski and Jermale Hines.

The 2011 waiver claim, wide receiver Quan Cosby, also says goodbye. His career numbers include only 6 receptions for 71 yards. He also never made a catch for the Colts in the regular season.

Griff Whalen, the new fan favorite, lives to fight at least one more day, despite fracturing his foot in Saturday's preseason game against the Redskins. Whalen put up some more big numbers on Saturday, and with the uncertainty surrounding Austin Collie, Whalen could prove to be a cheap and valuable asset in the slot. However, the seriousness of his foot injury will be the deciding factor in his future as a Colt.

Five more cuts will have to come before tommorrow's deadline. Who do you think they will be?

UPDATE: The Colts have made their way down to a 75-man roster. As a result, DT Brandon McKinney has been placed on IR, along with WR Griff Whalen and OT George Foster.

Rookies NT Josh Chapman and G Justin Anderson have been placed on the reserve/PUP list.

More From Stampede Blue