Indianapolis Colts Roster: 53-Man Prediction

Aug 7, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback

(12) calls a play against the New York Jets during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Cuts are right around the corner in the NFL, and the Colts are going to have to narrow down their active roster to just 53 players.

Let’s take a look at who the Colts are going to keep at each position and who probably won’t make the team:

Quarterback (2): Andrew Luck, Matt Hasselbeck
Running Back (4): Trent Richardson, Ahmad Bradshaw, Dan Herron, Zurlon Tipton
Fullback (1): Mario Harvey
Wide Receiver (6): Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton, Hakeem Nicks, Donte Moncrief, Griff Whalen, Da’Rick Rogers
Tight End (3): Dwayne Allen, Coby Fleener, Jack Doyle
Offensive Tackle (2): Gosder Cherilus, Anthony Castonzo
Offensive Guard (3): Jack Mewhort, Hugh Thornton, Lance Louis
Center (2): Khaled Holmes, Jonotthan Harrison
O-Line Depth (2): Xavier Nixon, Joe Reitz

Defensive End (3): Cory Redding, Arthur Jones, Ricky Jean-Francois
Nose Tackle (2): Josh Chapman, Montori Hughes
Outside Linebacker (4): Robert Mathis (after suspension), Erik Walden, Bjoern Werner, Jonathan Newsome
Inside Linebacker (6): D’Qwell Jackson, Jerrell Freeman, Henoc Muamba, Andy Studebaker, Josh McNary, Andrew Jackson
Cornerback (5): Vontae Davis, Darius Butler, Greg Toler, Gosh Gordy, Louchiez Purifoy
Safety (5): LaRon Landry, Mike Adams, Sergio Brown, Colt Anderson, Dewey McDonald

Kicker: Adam Vinatieri
Punter: Pat McAfee
Long Snapper: Matt Overton

A few notes on the predictions:

• Zurlon Tipton makes the team despite a fairly mediocre preseason performance due to the uncertainty at running back. He may be specifically a special teams player but may see time if Richardson under-performs or Bradshaw gets hurt.
• Harvey has been making strides at fullback, and Stanley Havili‘s shoulder is a huge concern; he gets cut after spending the preseason on PUP.
• Both Whalen and Rogers make the roster after solid preseason performances by both.
• Preseason darling Zach Kerr doesn’t make the team in favor of Montori Hughes solid performances and experience. Kerr is a hot candidate to make the practice squad for depth if something happens to Chapman.
• Cutting Cam Johnson was the hardest to do, but the outside linebacker core is solid without him. He may stay on the roster for Mathis as he serves his four-game suspension.
• Louchiez Purifoy makes the cut after a solid preseason so far with Indy. He could be a key special teams player as he develops at cornerback.

Initial roster cuts start next Tuesday down to 75 men and narrows down further to 53 just four days after.