Alright, Colts fans, buckle up because James Boyd over at The Athletic just dropped a bombshell projection that’s gonna make some waves. He’s got two recognizable names, running back DJ Giddens and defensive tackle Jerry Tillery, on the outside looking in when the team trims the roster down to 53 players. We’re talking about some seriously tough decisions coming for the Indianapolis front office, and it looks like a recent draft pick might not even make it a full year.
The Hamstring That Changed Everything for Giddens
This one stings, right? DJ Giddens, a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, was supposed to slide right in as Jonathan Taylor’s main backup. That was the plan! He had a real shot to show what he could do, but a nasty hamstring injury sidelined him for most of training camp. And man, that’s just a killer for any player, let alone a rookie trying to carve out his spot. With Giddens out, rookies Seth McGowan and Ulysses Bentley IV absolutely gained ground in that competition. Boyd’s projection has Taylor, McGowan, and Bentley making the final roster at running back. Can you believe it? A guy drafted just last year is projected without a spot. That’s a brutal reminder of how quickly things can change in this league, especially when injuries strike early.
Tillery’s Toughest Cut in the Trenches
Then we’ve got Jerry Tillery, a veteran defensive tackle who Boyd tabbed as the “hardest cut” along the defensive line. And when you think about it, that makes sense. General manager Chris Ballard has always, and I mean *always*, prioritized depth in the trenches. He knows you win games up front. So, for a veteran D-tackle to be on the bubble, you know the competition is absolutely stiff. Boyd projected the interior defensive linemen to make the cut as DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Adetomiwa Adebawore, and Colby Wooden. It really highlights how loaded that unit is. What’s making Tillery’s situation even tougher? It’s Wooden’s versatility. The guy can play multiple spots, both at 3-technique and nose tackle, and that flexibility gives him a huge edge. When you’ve got that kind of talent and flexibility ahead of you, even a veteran with Tillery’s experience can find himself fighting for a spot.
These roster decisions are coming fast and furious, with NFL teams needing to reduce their rosters to 53 players by August 30. For the Colts, these cuts aren’t just about names; they’re about shaping the identity of the team heading into the new season. The next couple of weeks are going to be wild as Ballard and the coaching staff finalize who’s in and who’s out, setting the stage for what this team will look like. It’s a gut-wrenching part of the game, but it’s happening!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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