These Colts Could be Playing Their Final Game with Indianapolis

Several key players could be playing their final game for the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18.

Dave Holcomb | Jan 4, 2024

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Indianapolis Colts

Regardless of what happens in Week 18, several vital members of the Indianapolis Colts could be playing their final regular season game in blue and white on January 7.

If the Colts fall to the Houston Texans, it could be those players' very last game with Indianapolis.

Here's a look at the Colts pending free agents for the upcoming offseason ordered by 2023 average annual salary:

Grover Stewart - Defensive Tackle

Based on average annual salary for the 2023 season, Stewart is the most expensive pending free agent for Indianapolis. The 30-year-old defensive tackle has been an underrated asset in seven seasons with the Colts. Fellow defensive tackle DeForest Buckner has largely overshadowed Stewart, but Stewart has posted 30 tackles for loss, 35 quarterback hits and 9 sacks in his career. This season, he has registered 36 combined tackles, including 5 tackles for loss, 8 quarterback hits and 0.5 sacks in 10 games.

Kenny Moore II - Cornerback

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Although he has just one Pro Bowl nomination, Moore has also been an underrated asset for the Colts. He bounced back this season after a disappointing 2022 campaign following an offseason holdout. In seven seasons in Indianapolis, Moore has posted 9.5 sacks, 55 pass defenses and 17 interceptions. He has returned 2 interceptions for touchdowns during 2023.

Taven Bryan - Defensive Tackle

Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Taven Bryan (96) and teammates try to stop Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during first quarter action. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL Sunday, October 15, 2023. The Jaguars ended the first half with a 21 to 6 lead. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union] — © Bob Self/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK

The 27-year-old joined the Colts on a 1-year contract last year after beginning his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns. He's prove to be a valuable backup for Indianapolis in 2023. Bryan has started seven games while filling in for Stewart and Buckner this season. He has recorded 21 combined tackles, including 4 tackles for loss, 1 quarterback hit, 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble.

Gardner Minshew - Quarterback

Minshew played a lot more than the Colts wanted him to this season because of multiple injuries to rookie Anthony Richardson. But Minshew has kept the Colts competitive and has improved as the season has progressed. Without him, Indianapolis would likely not have a shot at the postseason in Shane Steichen's first season. Minshew owns a 62.7% completion percentage and a 6.8 yards per attempt average with 15 touchdowns and 9 interceptions in 2023. He is 7-5 as the Colts starter this season.

Rigoberto Sanchez - Punter

Mandatory Credit: Jenna Watson-USA TODAY Sports

After missing the entire 2022 season, Sanchez has returned as one of the best punters in the NFL. Entering Week 18, he has career-highs of 47.9 yards per punt and 42.8 net yards per punt. Sanchez has also pinned opposing offenses inside their 20-yard line 21 times. He has served as Indianapolis punter since 2017.

Michael Pittman Jr. - Wide Receiver

Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) works to push Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) out of bounds Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. — © Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

If this was a list of most important Colts pending free agents, Pittman could be ranked No. 1. He sits where he is on the list because he made just $2.1 million in 2023. That salary should go up substantially given his production in his first four seasons. This season, Pittman has recorded career highs with 104 catches and 1,108 receiving yards on 150 targets. Even with budding youngsters Alec Pierce and Josh Downs, Pittman has clearly been Indianapolis' top pass catcher the past three years.

Tyquan Lewis - Defensive End

© Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

The 28-year-old suffered heart-wrenching knee injuries near the midseason point of 2021 and 2022. But he returned to have the best season of his NFL career in 2023. Lewis has just about posted career-bests across the board with 25 combined tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits, 4 sacks and 3 pass defenses this season.

Tony Brown - Cornerback

Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The fellow 28-year-old has mostly been a special teams ace for the Colts the past two seasons. He played a career-high 303 special teams snaps last season and followed that up with 252 more snaps on special teams this season. In 2023, Brown also has an interception while playing 56 defensive snaps.

Isaiah McKenzie - Wide Receiver

Added for receiver depth heading into 2023, McKenzie has mostly been utilized as a returner. He's averaged 25.3 yards per kickoff and 8.9 yards per punt return. McKenzie has also caught 11 passes for 82 yards and rushed for 14 yards.

Jake Martin - Defensive End

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Jake Martin (92) sits on the bench Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, during a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston — © Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Signed to a 1-year contract last offseason, Martin has supplied 2 sacks, 1 tackle for loss and 3 quarterback hits in 182 defensive snaps across 16 games this season. Martin has also played 25% of the team's snaps on special teams.

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Julian Blackmon - Strong Safety

Similar to Pittman, Blackmon is low on this list because of his average annual salary. But he has an argument to be ranked first or second based on important Colts free agents the team must consider re-signing. With the Colts secondary largely in transition this season, Blackmon has held the unit together with Pro Bowl caliber play. In 15 games, he has recorded 88 combined tackles, including 5 tackles for loss. He also has a career-high 4 interceptions and 8 pass defenses.

Zack Moss - Running Back

Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss (21) rushes the ball for a touchdown Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. — © Hali Tauxe/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

It's hard to argue the Colts had a more important player in the first month of the season than Moss. With team dealing with a Jonathan Taylor contract dispute and injury early in the season, Moss averaged 93.2 rushing yards per game and 4.9 yards per carry in five September and October starts. He also had 14 catches for 110 yards and scored 5 touchdowns during that stretch. Moss returned as Indianapolis' starter in Week 13 after Taylor went down again, but Moss has been inactive the past two games because of a forearm injury.

Genard Avery - Defensive End

The veteran pass rusher was a late-offseason signing for the Colts. But the Colts placed him on injured reserve on August 18, and he hasn't returned.

Juwann Winfree - Wide Receiver

The sixth-year veteran has bounced back and forth between the Colts active roster and practice squad this season. In seven games, he has just 1 target and hasn't recorded a touch. But he has played 69 special teams snaps.

Jack Anderson - Center

Jack Anderson New York Giants Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The third-year offensive lineman has been on the Colts active roster since October 31, but he's appeared in just one game on special teams. Anderson has yet to take a snap on offense this season.

Henry Black - Safety

The 27-year-old has spent most of this season on the Colts practice squad. He also had a brief stint on the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad. Black hasn't played in a game this season.

Danny Pinter - Guard

A Colts 2020 fifth-round pick, Pinter has been a reserve offensive guard for Indianapolis the past four seasons. He made three starts last season, but Pinter has spent all of the 2023 season on injured reserve.

Trevor Denbow - Safety

Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

The second-year safety grew into a very valuable special teams contributor during the 2023 season. He has made 11 combined tackles on 299 special teams snaps this season.

Cameron McGrone - Linebacker

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Cameron McGrone (59) works to bring down Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. — © Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

The 23-year-old joined the Colts late in the 2022 season. In 12 career games, he's mostly played special teams. He has 4 combined tackles, including 3 in 11 contests this season.

Segun Olubi- Linebacker

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Segun Olubi (50) celebrates tackling Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. — © Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

The former undrafted defender has played more special teams snaps (314) for the Colts than any of the team's other pending free agents. Olubi has also played 93 defensive snaps. He has 18 combined tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass defense and 1 fumble recovery this season.

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Published Jan 4, 2024

DAVE HOLCOMB