Roster Moves: Colts get much needed help at RB from Robert Turbin, waive DE Tarell Basham

The Colts made some big moves today in preparation for their Thursday night matchup against the New England Patriots.

First, running back Robert Turbin has been elevated to the active roster after being suspended for the first 4 games of the season. Turbin provides a tough downhill runner that the Colts lack, and is the kind of reliable runner they desperately need tonight. Having missed time, he will likely have limited snaps, but works well situationally as a short yardage back and will definitely make an impact on the game.

Additionally, they have elevated CB Lenzy Pipkins and LB Skai Moore to the active roster. They’ll provide much needed depth at two positions where injuries have left the Colts pretty thin.

The Colts signed Skai Moore as an undrafted free agent and saw him perform well in his role while they were without Anthony Walker Jr. during the preseason. Walker has come back and played really well, but it is good to see Moore make his way back to the active roster to bolster the linebacker room. Hopefully that move isn’t related to Darius Leonard’s availability tonight.

Lenzy Pipkins was acquired in the Colts’ trade with the Packers in which they sent Antonio Morrison to Green Bay. He has been back and forth from the practice squad to the active roster, but tonight could see a chance to make an impact with the absence of Quincy Wilson, Kenny Moore, and with Nate Hairston still listed as questionable.

The Colts will need all the help they can get in tonight’s game, and hopefully these guys can take advantage of this opportunity to show what they can do.

Correspondingly the Colts have waived two defensive ends, Tarell Basham and Al-Quadin Muhammad.

Basham, the Colts’ 3^rd round pick from 2017 has been unable to crack the roster, never really showing the flashes that prompted the Colts selecting him. It was initially thought that the scheme defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was going to implement would favor Basham’s strengths, but he has been unable to make any impact and has been surpassed by rookies and free agents on a line that has been largely effective without him. In his time with the Colts Basham has played in 16 games, has 5 total tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble.

Al-Quadin Muhammad was brought in off waivers back in September after the Saints, who drafted him in the 6^th round of 2017’s draft, released him. In his time with the Colts this season he played in 4 games and recorded 6 total tackles.

Based on the way the Colts have bounced players back and forth between the active roster and practice squad, this is by no means an indication that either player will be out of work for long. Time will tell if they get a second chance.