Colts release Chris McCain, Anthony Johnson; waive WR Matt Hazel

The Indianapolis Colts are continuing to shrink down their list of players on injured reserve.

The team announced Tuesday evening that wide receiver Matt Hazel and defensive ends Anthony Johnson and Chris McCain will be released from IR. The Colts waived Hazel, while outright releasing McCain from his contract. The team announced it had reached an injury settlement with Johnson.

Before the regular season began, Indianapolis saw its list of players on injured reserve climb past 20, a number that is quite high.

Earlier in the day, the Colts dwindled that list down even more with the release of offensive lineman J’Marcus Webb and promotion of cornerback Lenzy Pipkins.

Hazel signed with the Colts back on August 12, but didn’t appear in any preseason games due to an injury to his achilles. A year ago, Hazel appeared in four games with the Colts.

Johnson compiled three tackles and one quarterback hit during the preseason, but the defensive end was placed on injured reserve on September 1 after a back issue. McCain was also played on IR that same day, but with an ankle problem.

Indianapolis has reached injury settlements with Tyrell Adams, K.J. Brent, tackle Tyreek Burwell, linebacker Jeremiah George, T.J. Green, and Krishawn Hogan, and also waived tackle Jared Machorro.

The injured reserve list currently sits at 12.