Report: Colts release running back Stevan Ridley

It sounds like Stevan Ridley’s time with the Indianapolis Colts was indeed quite short. According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the Colts are cutting Ridley today as they trim their roster down to 53 players.

Ridley was signed last Sunday, but the Colts seemed very noncommittal about whether he’d actually make the roster. Chuck Pagano said that they decided to take Ridley for a spin and see what happened. Ridley didn’t really impress on Thursday night in his debut with the team, rushing nine times for eleven yards and dropping a pass. Jordan Todman, who had an impressive preseason, clearly outplayed Ridley, so it’s not really a surprise that Ridley has been cut.

The running back has impressed in his NFL career, rushing for 2,907 yards and 22 touchdowns in 60 games, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. He rushed for 1,263 yards and 12 scores with the Patriots in 2012, and the following year rushed for 773 yards and ten touchdowns. In 2014, however, he suffered a torn ACL, and he hasn’t been the same since. He was with the New York Jets in 2015 and then signed with the Detroit Lions this offseason, but they released him last week. The Colts brought him in for a visit and signed him a couple of days later, but it became clear that it was on a tryout basis. He didn’t impress on Thursday night, so it’s no surprise that he’s been cut. With Frank Gore as the starter and then Robert Turbin and Jordan Todman both impressing this preseason, the Colts didn’t need to keep Ridley around. I’d guess that this move is a very good sign for Todman, who can be a nice change of pace back and special teams contributor.