Tag: Indianapolis Colts

Feb 28, 2026; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Carson Towt (33) dunks against the NC State Wolfpack during the first half at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

Colts sign Notre Dame basketball player Carson Towt as TE

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Indianapolis Colts signed Notre Dame basketball player Carson Towt as a free agent tight end on Tuesday.

Towt, 24, did not play football in high school or college.

A 6-foot-8, 250-pound forward, he averaged 5.9 points and a team-high 9.0 rebounds in 31 games during his lone season with the Fighting Irish in 2025-26.

Towt played four seasons at Northern Arizona before transferring to South Bend, leading all Division I players with 12.4 rebounds per game and 423 total rebounds in 2024-25.

Indianapolis has a mentor in place with veteran tight end Mo Alie-Cox, who followed a similar path after playing college basketball at VCU and joining the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2017.

Alie-Cox, 32, has 127 career catches for 1,550 yards and 16 touchdowns in 125 games (53 starts) for the Colts.

–Field Level Media

Colts to retain coach Shane Steichen, GM Chris Ballard

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Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard will return for the 2026 season, the team announced after Sunday’s season-closing 38-30 loss to the host Houston Texans.

Colts owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon will hold a news conference on Monday.

Steichen, 40, has posted a record of 25-26 in three seasons. The Colts started the 2025 season with a mark of 8-2, but lost their final seven games. After leading the team to an 8-4 record, resurgent quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a torn right Achilles in Week 14 vs. Jacksonville and the Colts struggled to score as teams focused on slowing running back Jonathan Taylor.

Indianapolis brought 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement in the wake of Jones’ injury and the team went 0-3 in Rivers’ starts. Rookie Riley Leonard was the starting quarterback in the finale.

“We showed signs early in the season that were pretty darn good, and we had some unfortunate circumstances, but that’s part of the league,” Steichen said Sunday prior to the news that he was being retained. “You have to overcome those circumstances. That’s where you have to learn from and grow from (so) when you get in those situations, again, you learn from them, and you’re like, ‘Hey, here’s how we have to win now with the circumstances that we have.’”

Prior to his tenure with the Colts, Steichen was the offensive coordinator for both the Philadelphia Eagles (2021-22) and Los Angeles Chargers (2020).

Ballard will enter his 10th season with the franchise. He was hired in 2017 after serving as the Kansas City Chiefs’ director of football operations from 2015-16.

The Colts have not won a division title in Ballard’s tenure, posting a record of 70-78-1. They have made two playoff appearances (2018, 2020), winning once and dropping a pair.

–Field Level Media

Colts DT DeForest Buckner (neck) to have season-ending surgery

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Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner will undergo season-ending surgery on a herniated disc after aggravating his neck injury.

Head coach Shane Steichen announced the update on Friday for Buckner, 31, a three-time Pro Bowl selection who only recently returned from injured reserve.

Buckner recorded five tackles in Monday night’s 48-27 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, his first appearance since a 27-20 loss at Pittsburgh on Nov. 2.

He missed five games on IR with a neck injury. Prior to that, he had only missed six games to injury throughout his 10-year NFL career, with five of those coming in 2024 due to an ankle injury.

Buckner finishes the season with 4.0 sacks, 47 tackles and 13 quarterback hits in 10 games (all starts). He will be placed on IR but is expected to return next season, Steichen said.

He has 71.5 sacks, 10 fumble recoveries and 652 tackles in 151 games (146 starts) with San Francisco (2016-19) and Indianapolis. The 49ers drafted him with the No. 7 overall pick in 2016.

After a promising start, the Colts (8-7) have lost five consecutive games and are on the brink of playoff elimination entering Sunday’s home game against the division-leading Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4).

In addition to Buckner, Indianapolis has ruled out center Tanor Bortolini (concussion), wide receiver Anthony Gould (foot), tight end Drew Ogletree (neck) and defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau (oblique).

–Field Level Media

Jaguars throttle Colts, take sole possession of first in AFC South

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Trevor Lawrence threw two touchdowns, and Travis Etienne rushed for two touchdowns to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars to a commanding 36-19 victory over the visiting Indianapolis Colts in a matchup of the top two teams in the AFC South on Sunday.

Lawrence completed 17 of 30 passes for 244 yards. Brian Thomas Jr. caught three passes for 87 yards, while Tim Patrick had 78 yards and a touchdown on five catches.

Etienne carried the ball 20 times for 78 yards for Jacksonville (9-4), which won its fourth straight game to move into sole possession of first place in the AFC South.

Indianapolis (8-5) lost starting quarterback Daniel Jones to an Achilles injury late in the first quarter. The offense continued to move the ball at times with his backup, rookie Riley Leonard, but struggled to finish drives.

Leonard finished 18-of-29 passing for 145 yards and an interception with a rushing touchdown for the Colts, who lost their third straight game and fourth in the last five. Jonathan Taylor carried the ball 21 times for 74 yards and a score.

Indianapolis has lost its last 11 games at Jacksonville.

The Jaguars turned two first-half turnovers into 14 points, fueling their 28-10 halftime advantage. The Colts finished with three total turnovers and conceded a safety in the loss.

Devin Lloyd intercepted Jones on the Colts’ first offensive play of the game, giving the Jaguars the ball at the Colts’ 21. It was Lloyd’s fifth interception of the season, but his first in over two months.

Four plays later, Etienne punched in a 3-yard touchdown for a 7-0 lead.

Indianapolis responded with a touchdown drive, capped off by a 1-yard touchdown from Taylor.

Jacksonville reclaimed the lead 2:05 later when Lawrence found Jakobi Meyers for a 14-yard touchdown.

On the first drive after Jones sustained his injury, Jarrian Jones stripped Taylor as he stretched out for a first down. The very next play, Etienne broke off a 28-yard run for his second touchdown to make it 21-7 with 12:52 left in the half.

After Leonard led a field-goal drive, the Jaguars added to their lead with a 7-yard touchdown catch by Tim Patrick with seven seconds left for a 28-10 advantage.

After the teams traded field goals, Jacksonville’s Josh Hines-Allen effectively put the game away with a safety sack and a Cam Little field goal after the ensuing safety punt, which made it 36-13 with 4:41 left.

Leonard scored his first career touchdown with 1:51 left, rushing it in from 6 yards out.

–Field Level Media

Chiefs get first close win of season, topping Colts in OT

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Harrison Butker kicked five field goals, including the decisive 27-yarder with 1:57 left in overtime, to give the host Kansas City Chiefs a 23-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

Patrick Mahomes completed 29 of 46 passes for 352 yards and one interception as Kansas City (6-5) prevailed in a one-score game for the first time in six opportunities this season. Last season, the Chiefs went 12-0, including a postseason victory, in such situations.

Kareem Hunt rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries and Rashee Rice caught eight passes for 141 yards for the Chiefs, who overcame an 11-point, fourth-quarter deficit to end a two-game losing streak.

Daniel Jones completed 19 of 31 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns for the Colts (8-3). Michael Pittman Jr. and Drew Ogletree caught touchdown passes and Laiatu Latu had an interception.

Indianapolis star Jonathan Taylor was held to 58 yards on 16 carries with 27 of the yards coming on one handoff.

The Chiefs forced overtime on Butker’s 25-yard field goal as time expired in regulation.

Indianapolis had the ball first in overtime and went three-and-out for the fourth consecutive time.

The Chiefs then moved 81 yards on 12 plays. Mahomes completed passes of 30 to Xavier Worthy and 21 yards to Rice on the game-ending drive.

Michael Badgley kicked field goals of 32 and 23 yards in the third quarter as the Colts held a 20-9 lead.

The Chiefs moved within three when Hunt scored on a 2-yard run and Mahomes threw a two-point conversion pass to Rice with 8:37 left in the fourth.

Indianapolis then went three-and-out for the third straight time in the fourth quarter and Kansas City took over for the game-tying drive.

Latu and Pheldarius Payne combined to sack Mahomes on third down to force Butker’s tying field goal.

The Chiefs outgained the Colts 494-255 and had a 33-10 edge in first downs. Indianapolis’ last first down came in the third quarter.

Earlier, the Colts forced a turnover on Kansas City’s second offensive play to set up Jones’ 6-yard touchdown pass to Pittman.

Latu deflected Mahomes’ pass with his right hand and then corralled the ball for his third interception of the season.

Kansas City appeared to knot the score on a 4-yard direct snap run by Travis Kelce, but Jawaan Taylor was flagged for a 15-yard facemask penalty. The Chiefs ended up settling for Butker’s 28-yard field goal nine seconds into the second quarter.

Indianapolis increased the lead to 14-3 when Jones tossed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Ogletree with 10:31 left in the half.

Butker responded with field goals of 48 and 22 yards to leave the Chiefs trailing 14-9 at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Colts DT DeForest Buckner (neck) lands on IR

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The division-leading Indianapolis Colts will be without defensive anchor DeForest Buckner for at least their next four games.

Indianapolis placed the three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle on injured reserve Friday with a neck injury.

Buckner, 31, already had been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin.

He also will miss the Colts’ games against the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars from Weeks 12-14. Indianapolis has a bye next week. His earliest return is Dec. 14 at the Seattle Seahawks.

Buckner sustained the injury during last weekend’s 27-20 road loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has only missed six games to injury in his 10-year NFL career, five of them last season with an IR stint for an ankle injury.

He ranks second on the Colts with 4.0 sacks to go along with 42 tackles and 13 QB hits in nine starts this season.

Buckner has 71.5 sacks, 10 fumble recoveries and 647 tackles in 150 games (145 starts) with San Francisco (2016-19) and Indianapolis. The 49ers drafted him with the No. 7 overall pick in 2016.

The Colts (7-2) also have ruled out defensive ends Samson Ebukam (knee) and Tyquan Lewis (groin) for Sunday’s game against the Falcons (3-5). Both also missed the last two games.

–Field Level Media

Colts CB Sauce Gardner clears concussion protocol ahead of game vs. Falcons

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The Indianapolis Colts’ newly acquired All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner cleared concussion protocol on Thursday and is expected to play against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in Berlin.

The Colts sent first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 along with wide receiver Adonai Mitchell at the trade deadline on Tuesday to the New York Jets for Gardner, 25.

He recorded 20 tackles and six passes defensed in the first seven games this season before missing the Week 8 win at Cincinnati in concussion protocol. The Jets (1-7) had a bye last weekend. He was a full participant at the Colts’ practice on Wednesday.

Indianapolis (7-2) is tied with the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos for the best record in the NFL through nine weeks.

“I’ve barely slept,” Gardner said Wednesday of adjusting to his new team and preparing for his next game. “Every single minute that I’ve had being here in Indianapolis, I’m doing something — whether it’s with the trainings, whether it’s filling out paperwork, whether it’s practice, watching film … it’s been a crazy 48 hours. Obviously, it’s midseason, so this has been the craziest 48 hours.”

Gardner was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 and is a two-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro first-team selection since being drafted with the No. 4 overall pick in 2022.

He signed a four-year, $120.4 million contract extension in July that made him the NFL’s highest-paid player at his position with a $30.1 million average annual value.

Gardner has recorded three interceptions, 46 passes defensed, 201 tackles and one forced fumble in 55 games (all starts).

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader (3) kicks a field goal during the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Reports: Colts K Spencer Shrader (knee) out for season

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Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader was lost for the season following a right knee injury during Sunday’s 40-6 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, multiple outlets reported.

On an extra-point attempt in the second quarter Sunday, the Raiders’ Tristin McCollum ran into Shrader’s right leg. Shrader immediately went to the ground holding his right knee.

Shrader, 26, was 13 of 14 on field-goal attempts this season with a long of 52 yards. He was also 14 of 14 on extra-point attempts and was named AFC special teams player of the month for September.

After appearing in games for the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets and Colts last season, Shrader settled in as Indianapolis’ starter this season. Undrafted out of Notre Dame, the Florida native also kicked at South Florida.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman (11) scores a touchdown ahead of Los Angeles Rams cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (1) during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Colts WR Michael Pittman (hamstring) lands on injury report

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The Indianapolis Colts added wide receiver Michael Pittman to their Week 5 injury report Thursday with a hamstring issue.

Pittman was a limited participant in practice on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s home game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The sixth-year pro caught five passes for 41 yards and a touchdown while playing his usual heavy allotment of snaps last weekend as the Colts (3-1) fell on the road to the Los Angeles Rams.

Pittman is the top target for resurgent quarterback Daniel Jones. He has a team-high 21 receptions for 234 yards (11.1 per catch) and three scores.

The Colts enter Week 5 with a plus-40 point differential that ranks fourth in the NFL. They’re also fourth in points scored (30.8 per game) and net passing yards (261 per game).

Indianapolis co-leads the AFC South with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who host the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night.

Defensive end Tyquan Lewis (oblique) also landed on Thursday’s injury report. Veteran cornerback Xavien Howard abruptly retired for family reasons earlier in the week after starting each of the Colts’ first four games.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) intercepts a pass for a pick six during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Report: Colts CB Kenny Moore II (calf) to only miss a few weeks

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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II only will miss a few weeks after he came away from Sunday’s victory over the Tennessee Titans with a calf injury, ESPN reported.

Moore, who returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown in the opening minute of the game, departed in the fourth quarter of the 41-20 win.

The 30-year-old has 10 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble in three games (two starts) this season. In nine seasons with the Colts, Moore has 21 interceptions, with four returned for TDs in 121 games (106 starts). He also has 604 tackles, 11 sacks and 64 passes defensed.

Moore was named to the Pro Bowl in 2021 when he had four interceptions in 17 games (16 starts).

To add depth to the secondary, the Colts signed veteran cornerback Mike Hilton to the practice squad. Hilton, 31, has 13 interceptions over 123 games (56 starts) during eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2017-20) and Cincinnati Bengals (2021-24).

The Colts are one of six teams to start the season 3-0 and will be on the road to face the Los Angeles Rams (2-1) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media