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3 Colts cut candidates on chopping block entering 2026 NFL training camp appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Indianapolis Colts are one team that will be fascinating to watch during training camp. Indy went all in on Jones this offseason, signing him to a $88 million contract after an impressive first half of the 2025 season. Now the Colts looks ready to go all out to fight their way back into the playoffs this fall.
Next up for the Colts is training camp, which kicks off on July 29th with the first full-team practice. Indy will face some tough questions in camp just like every other NFL team. Ultimately, it comes down to assembling their list of the best 53 players on the roster.
But which players are in the most danger of being cut as training camp inches close and closer?
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Three Colts players stand out as being on the chopping block ahead of training camp.
Is there any way that Easton Stick can make the final Colts roster?
Stick enters training camp in a pretty terrible position when looking ahead at who could make the final 53-man roster.
Indy looks to have pretty much already solidified who will be in their quarterback room in 2026 before training camp has even kicked off.
The Colts obviously have Daniel Jones as their franchise quarterback. Indy made a big bet on Jones this offseason, signing him to a big-money extension despite his devastating Achilles injury. Injury is the only thing that could keep him out of the starting lineup in Week 1.
Behind Jones is Anthony Richardson, who is still kicking in Indy as the backup quarterback. Richardson’s career has been sidetracker due to injuries and poor play. However, he should still make the final roster because the Colts cannot save cap space by cutting him. If anything, Indy could look to trade Richardson, but even that seems unlikely at this point.
Then there’s Riley Leonard, who flashed some nice potential of his own late in the 2025 season. Leonard threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns, plus a rushing touchdown, against an elite Texans defense in his first career start. The Colts won’t want to give up on Leonard’s upside so soon, even if he projects as a career backup.
All of that leaves Stick stuck at the bottom of the depth chart as QB4.
Realistically, Stick is nothing more than just an extra arm for training camp. If he does stick around in Indy, it will likely be on the practice squad.
Still, the Colts are smart to keep Stick in the mix just in case one of their other quarterbacks suffers a freak injury during training camp.
Let’s hope that does not happen.
Offseason changes will have Anthony Gould under pressure during training camp
Indy made some big moves at wide receiver this offseason, including both additions and departures. Now that the dust has settled, Gould looks to be clearly on the chopping block headed into training camp.
Some of Indy’s moves created opportunity at receiver. The Colts traded Anthony Pittman Jr. to the Steelers, which bumped everyone up one spot on the depth chart. But since that move, the Colts have also brought in multiple receivers to fill the void.
Indy signed veteran Nick Westbrook-Ikhine to a two-year deal and drafted Deion Burks in the seventh round. Now those two join Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, and Ashton Dulin as the most likely Colts players to make the team.
Meanwhile, Gould is one of several Colts players who will compete for possibly one more roster spot as WR6.
Gould himself is a former 2024 fifth-round pick who has yet to make a name for himself in Indy. He has only three receptions for 29 receiving yards in 19 career games as a wide receiver.
That said, Gould carved out a decent role as a return specialist in 2026. If there’s any hope of Gould sticking on the final roster, it will be because of his kick and punt return skills.
Jonathan Owens may not have a place on Indy’s defense
One of the more difficult players to figure out ahead of Colts training camp is Jonathan Owens.
The husband of Simone Biles has cobbled together a solid NFL career, though he has yet to establish himself as a reliable starter on defense.
Indianapolis made some big changes on defense this offseason, which included the addition of Owens to their secondary. But should Owens be worried about where he sits on the depth chart?
The Colts look poised to start veteran Cam Bynum and rookie A.J. Haulcy at safety in Week 1. As for the depth behind them, Juanyeh Thomas seems like the only truly “safe” player ahead of training camp.
Daniel Scott may be Owens’ biggest opponent during camp. The former 2023 fifth-round pick has struggled to stay healthy early in his career. He suffered an ACL injury in 2023, an Achilles injury in 2024, and a knee injury in 2025.
Scott could be dangerous to Owens if he can stay healthy. But that looks like a pretty big if.
None of this means that Owens is already doomed to be cut. But it does suggest he will be in a battle for his job over the next month.
Remember, the Colts brought in versatile DB Cam Taylor-Britt during NFL free agency. Taylor-Britt is a cornerback on paper, but he also has the ability to drop back and play safety when needed. This is important because it could make Indy comfortable to roster only three safeties, effectively using Taylor-Britt to get two players for the price of one.
Ultimately, Owens’ best chance of winning a roster spot could simply be dominating on special teams.
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