Report: Colts Claimed Former Browns DT Eli Ankou Off Of Waivers

According to ESPN’s Jake Trotter, the Indianapolis Colts have claimed former Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Eli Ankou off of league waivers:

Originally drafted by the Houston Texans in the 3rd round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the 6’3”, 325 pound defensive tackle has also played with the Jacksonville Jaguars organization—in addition to the Texans and Browns.

In 2019, Ankou recorded 7 tackles in 9 games (2 starts) for the Browns.

Ankou had a strong training camp for the Browns and was a key candidate to be re-signed to their practice squad—assuming he cleared league waivers.

The 26 year old is a big bodied defensive tackle, who projects as a definite one-technique for the Colts defensive line.

With projected primary 1T backup Sheldon Day (knee) starting the season on injured reserve, the Colts had fellow defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth projected as the new backup at that spot behind starter Grover Stewart.

However, it’s unclear if Stallworth was waived in a corresponding roster move—as Ankou figures to be primarily a run stuffing defensive tackle.

Regardless, Ankou is literally a big addition to the Colts interior defensive line.

Update (6:34 PM EST): Colts tight end Trey Burton (calf) was placed on injured reserve in a corresponding roster move, so backup defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth remains on the team’s active 53-man roster—as that’s the freed up roster spot for Eli Ankou.