Roster Moves: Colts elevate DE Al-Quadin Muhammad to active roster, waive LB Skai Moore

The Colts’ practice squad to active roster carousel spins on this morning with yet another roster move. The Colts have elevated defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad to the active roster and waived rookie UDFA linebacker Skai Moore in preparation for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.

The Colts have been actively using their practice squad to bolster their depth in a way I can’t remember seeing in any of the years past. Frank Reich and Chris Ballard have talked about doing this, but the myriad injuries the Colts have suffered has made it a necessity.

Al-Quadin Muhammad was a waiver claim himself, during final cuts when they grabbed him after being waived by the Saints. He has played in 4 of the Colts games, starting two of them, before being waived prior to Thursday’s game and signed to the practice squad.

The addition of Muhammad likely bodes poorly for Margus Hunt, who was awaiting medical clearance and had not practiced all week. He was listed as questionable, but without Hunt or Denico Autry who was already ruled out, the Colts certainly needed to bolster their defensive line depth. In his time this season, Muhammad has recorded 8 tackles with 1 for a loss, and 1 QB hit.

Skai Moore has also been through this before as well, having spent the offseason getting starting snaps while Anthony Walker was injured. Walker quickly established himself as a talented contributor on the defense when he returned, and Moore hasn’t been much of a factor since then, recording 2 tackles in his 4 games played.

This is likely good news with regard to Darius Leonard’s ability to start, as he was listed as questionable as well, but expressed confidence that he would play Sunday. The Colts defense with Leonard on the field is a different unit, and there’s a reason that Leonard is still leading the NFL in tackles despite missing a week. If he is able to play, that is a big lift for the Colts defense.