The Indianapolis Colts placed veteran defensive lineman Micheal Clemons on Injured Reserve, paving the way for a rookie or two to earn more playing time.
The Indianapolis Colts made a roster move on Tuesday that could greatly benefit a rookie with an opportunity. Defensive lineman Micheal Clemons was placed on the Injured Reserve list, and the team also released running back Anderson Castle from the practice squad.
No mention of Clemons' injury has come up in the two times head coach Shane Steichen has spoken to reporters about injuries since last Sunday night's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but Clemons did leave that game briefly with a toe injury.
The Colts signed Clemons, 29, to a three-year, $17 million contract this offseason. In two games (38 snaps), he has recorded no official statistics, but has one quarterback pressure, according to Pro Football Focus. Clemons has lined up for 27 snaps on the edges and 11 snaps inside at tackle.
Clemons' stint on IR (Steichen will speak again on Wednesday and can provide more context for the length of the injury) opens the door for rookie sixth-round pick Caden Curry to get more playing time.
Curry, 23, has played just 10 defensive snaps in two games and has made three tackles, including two from 39 special teams snaps. Of Curry's defensive snaps, all but three have been on the edges, with a few coming as a stand-up pass rusher over the middle. In the preseason, he played 79 snaps on the edges and 16 at tackle.
Curry's fellow rookie edge rusher, fifth-round pick George Gumbs Jr., has been a healthy scratch in both games, but may begin to see some playing time in the wake of Clemons' injury.
Gumbs, 23, played 137 defensive snaps and 25 on special teams during the preseason, amassing eight tackles (two for loss), 2.0 sacks, two QB hits, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
At defensive end, the Colts currently have Curry, Gumbs, Laiatu Latu, Arden Key, and Jaylahn Tuimoloau, with Mitchell Melton on the practice squad.
The Colts signed Castle, 24, as an undrafted rookie this spring. He is a power back who averaged nearly five yards per carry during the preseason and also played nine snaps on special teams.
At running back, the Colts currently have Jonathan Taylor, Seth McGowan, and DJ Giddens, with Davon Booth on the practice squad.
The Colts' biggest roster move of the day was signing free-agent wide receiver Darius Slayton after top receiver Alec Pierce was deemed out for several weeks after a reaggravation of his heel injury.
Slayton, 29, was originally drafted by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Auburn, the same year they took current Colts quarterback Daniel Jones in the first round. The two played together until Jones was released by the Giants midway through the 2024 season.
In seven years with the Giants, Slayton started 78-of-106 games and caught 296-of-522 targets for 4,435 yards (15.0 avg.) and 22 touchdowns.
At receiver, the Colts currently have Pierce, Slayton, Josh Downs, Keenan Allen, Ashton Dulin, Laquon Treadwell, and Deion Burks, with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Anthony Gould on the practice squad.
