Colts get roster below 75 player limit by cutting two, placing another on IR

The Indianapolis Colts today got their roster below the 75 player requirement by waiving inside linebacker Anthony Sarao and cornerback Darius White. The team also placed safety Dezmen Southward on injured reserve.

Every team needs to cut their roster down from 90 players to 75 by 4:00 p.m. this afternoon, and the Colts already did much of their roster cuts over the past two days. They still needed to make two moves, however, and instead they cleared up three spots. That gives them an open roster spot, which is certainly interesting. Of course, it’s crucial to note that they don’t have to fill the spot - with the roster cutdown to 53 due by Saturday, the Colts might simply be getting slightly ahead of the game. But with a game on Thursday night in which starters and injured guys won’t play, you’d think the team would want to see as many young guys play as possible. That suggests that perhaps there’s an open roster spot for a reason, giving the team a chance to monitor the waiver wire or cuts from other teams. Again, it’s not like the Colts have to add someone, but it’s interesting to note and pay attention to.

Neither of the cuts the team made today should be surprising. Sarao didn’t play much at all, while White really struggled when he did play. He had an impressive first preseason game with the team, but was then pretty bad in the next two games. Though he saw a significant number of reps, I don’t think anyone will be surprised at the move - other than due to the fact that the team is thin at corner and might have needed the extra body for Thursday night. As for Southward, it’s unclear what happened to warrant being placed on injured reserve, so we don’t really have a ton of details there.

As a refresher, here are all the players cut by the Colts during the first roster cuts recently. You can keep up with all of our coverage of the team’s cuts right here:

Justin Berger, WR

Alden Darby, S

Eric Herman, guard

Ricky Lumpkin, DT

Mike Miller, TE

Chase Price, RB

Winston Rose, CB

Delvon Simmons, DL

Josh Stangby, WR

Junior Sylvestre, ILB

Konrad Reuland, TE

Danny Anthrop, WR

Keith Lumpkin, OT

Trey Williams, RB

Anthony Sarao, ILB

Darius White, CB

*Also signed running back Stevan Ridley*

*Also placed safety Dezmen Southward on injured reserve*