Colts to cut outside linebacker Ron Thompson, per agent

The Indianapolis Colts must free up 21 roster spots by 4:00 p.m. ET today, and while they aren’t expected to announce their moves until close to the deadline, a few of the cuts will likely be reported beforehand.

That’s the case with outside linebacker Ron Thompson, as his agent, David Canter of DEC Management, tweeted this morning that the Colts have cut Thompson. It is crucial to understand that the Colts have not yet confirmed the release, but since it’s coming from Thompson’s agent it seems pretty reliable.

It is worth noting that, while the DEC Management twitter timeline includes a couple of references to players being brought back to a team’s practice squad if unclaimed, there’s no such mention with their tweet announcing Thompson’s release. I would think that he would be a candidate for the Colts’ practice squad simply because he’s a pass rush prospect and the Colts are looking for young guys to develop, but it’s also possible that the team could feel comfortable enough with Earl Okine, Curt Maggitt, and Trevor Bates as those developmental guys.

When the Colts signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Syracuse, he seemed to be an intriguing guy to keep an eye on for that very reason: he was a pass rusher, which was the Colts’ biggest area of need. He played in 37 games (24 starts) and recorded 87 tackles, 12 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery during his collegiate career, but he didn’t come close to that level of play in the preseason with Indianapolis. He recorded two tackles in the preseason opener, but then went two games in a row without recording a stat. On Thursday night, he recorded three tackles, a pass defensed, and a fumble recovery. Overall, he played 81 snaps this preseason and recorded five tackles, a pass defensed, and a fumble recovery. With Okine, Maggitt, and Bates all outplaying him, it’s no surprise that he’s among the Colts’ final cuts.