Colts sign tight end Mike McFarland, waive tackle Pierce Burton

The Indianapolis Colts today made a couple of roster moves, as they signed free agent tight end Mike McFarland and waived offensive tackle Pierce Burton.

McFarland (6-6, 262 pounds) was an undrafted free agent last year out of the University of South Florida and was signed by the Houston Texans shortly after the draft.  He spent the offseason and training camp with Houston, but he was injured during camp and was placed on injured reserve on August 20.  On October 29, he was waived from the team's IR.  During his preseason action, he caught one pass for nine yards.  At South Florida, he played in 48 games (starting 16) and recorded 55 catches for 643 yards and two touchdowns.  He began his collegiate career as a redshirt freshman at the University of Florida in 2010 before then transferring to South Florida.

It shouldn't be a surprise to see the Colts looking at tight end options.  Dwayne Allen was re-signed this offseason as the starter and Jack Doyle is absolutely expected back as the number two tight end, but after that the position is a question mark.  Erik Swoope is on the roster and could get a look as a receiving tight end option, while the Colts also signed another free agent tight end this offseason in Cameron Clear.  Mike McFarland adds to that depth competition, and that's never a bad thing.

As for Pierce Burton, he was signed to a reserve/future contract shortly after the season ended after spending the final five weeks of the 2015 regular season on the Colts' practice squad.  Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings in 2014 before being released after training camp, Burton also spent time on the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers practice squads in 2015.