The Colts made a clear roster statement on Wednesday, moving on from cornerback Mekhi Blackmon and bringing in rookie undrafted defensive back Kenneth Harris as his replacement.
Blackmon’s exit is a notable one because he was a real piece for Indianapolis last season. After the Colts sent a sixth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for him last August, the 27-year-old went on to start 11 games. Over 17 games, he logged 784 defensive snaps, the most among Colts cornerbacks, and finished with 64 tackles, including two for loss, 1.0 sack, two interceptions and seven pass breakups.
This summer, though, the preseason hasn’t gone smoothly. Blackmon was flagged four times for defensive pass interference over the Colts’ first two preseason games, including two penalties on one drive and another in the end zone on a fourth down. Pro Football Focus also charted him as allowing six catches on seven targets for 74 yards.
Lou Anarumo was asked this week about some of the cornerbacks who were struggling, including Blackmon, and he made it clear the coming days mattered for players fighting to keep jobs.
"Unfortunately, he's had some penalties go against him in the last two games. He's had some balls caught on him," Anarumo continued when asked specifically about Blackmon.
"He's a competitive, super competitive guy, which I love about him. And I'm sure he'll bounce back and have a good week."
That was on Wednesday. By 48 hours later, Blackmon was gone.
Harris arrives after the New England Patriots waived him on Monday. The 24-year-old went undrafted this year after finishing his college career at Oklahoma State from 2023-25, following a transfer from Arkansas State, where he played from 2020-22.
Listed at 6-foot-0 and 192 pounds, Harris appeared in 59 career games with 29 starts and totaled 2,269 defensive snaps. He recorded 113 tackles, 6.5 for loss, 1.0 sack, three interceptions and 28 pass breakups. He also spent plenty of time on special teams, logging 485 snaps across six seasons.
With Harris now in the mix, the Colts’ cornerback group includes Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward Sr., Justin Walley, Cam Taylor-Britt, Johnathan Edwards, Jaylon Jones, Rob Carter Jr., Mekhi Rodgers and Harris.
In Other News...
Anthony Richardsons Colts Future Suddenly Feels Far Less Certain
Anthony Richardsons place in Indianapolis has already shifted this offseason, and it has created a very different kind of conversation around a quarterback who was once viewed as the franchises clear long-term bet. The Colts have installed Daniel Jones as their starter, leaving Richardson to compete for a backup job, even as the team has continued to voice support for him publicly and try to keep the message steady around his development.
Now his name has started to come up in trade inquiries, with multiple NFL teams reportedly checking on quarterbacks whose situations feel unsettled. Nothing is imminent, and Indianapolis has not made a decision to move him, but the possibility is no longer fringe. For the Colts, it would take a return they believed was worth it, which leaves Richardson in a murkier spot than anyone around the team likely expected a few months ago. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Cornerback Shake-Up Leaves One Final Roster Battle
A difficult preseason has already pushed the Colts into one notable decision at cornerback, with veteran Mekhi Blackmon waived as the team continues to sort out the back end of the secondary. The top of the group looks set with Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward and Justin Walley expected to start, while Cam Taylor-Britt appears to be first in line as the main backup behind them.
Johnathan Edwards has also put himself in good position to stick, thanks in large part to what he brings on special teams. Even after that, one final spot still appears to be hanging in the balance, with Jaylon Jones and Rob Carter Jr. competing for what could be the sixth cornerback role on the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Face Added Roster Pressure With Bubble Jobs Still Up For Grabs
The preseason ends this weekend with the Colts among the teams wrapping up their final exhibition game on Saturday, which leaves little time for the front office and coaching staff to sort out the last few roster battles. Like the Bears, Lions and Titans, Indianapolis now has one more chance to sort through bubble jobs before the real deadline arrives.
By 6:00 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, Aug. 30, every team has to be down to 53 players, and for the Colts that means the next 24 hours or so will carry plenty of weight. The final preseason game often helps clarify where a few depth spots stand, but it also tends to sharpen the pressure on the players still waiting to find out whether they have done enough to stick. [Read more 🡒]