The Colts made a series of Saturday roster moves to get ready for Sunday’s road game against the Minnesota Vikings, and most of the action centered on patching holes created by injury.
Linebacker Germaine Pratt and cornerback Kenneth Harris were elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for the matchup, with both players set to return to the practice squad afterward. Indianapolis also released punter Thomas Morstead from the practice squad.
Pratt is back for a second stint with the Colts after spending most of last season with the team. At 6'3", 250 and 30 years old, he brought steadiness and reliable tackling to the middle of the defense a year ago, and Indianapolis is looking for that again in 2026.
His arrival matters because the linebacker room is banged up. Rookie CJ Allen has been ruled out with an ankle injury, while fellow rookie Bryce Boettcher is questionable because of a groin issue.
Jaylon Carlies is back after missing two games with a rib injury, and he and Pratt could share work at WILL, with Akeem Davis-Gaither handling MIKE. Austin Ajiake is also expected to see multiple snaps, especially on passing downs, given the uncertainty at the position.
Morstead’s release comes after Rigoberto Sanchez’s right foot injury designation was removed for Sunday. The Colts brought Morstead in earlier this week after Sanchez was hurt in last week’s game. Sanchez did return to that game, but he did not practice this week.
Harris gives the Colts help in the secondary, where injuries have hit top cornerback Sauce Gardner, who is dealing with a calf issue, and slot corner Justin Walley, who has a knee injury. Gardner exited early last week and was replaced by Cam Taylor-Britt, and that setup is likely to hold again Sunday in Minnesota, with Harris added for depth and special teams.
The rookie undrafted free agent from Oklahoma State was active for the Colts in Week 1 as well. In that game, he played four defensive snaps and three on special teams and finished with one tackle.
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Pratts arrival gives the Colts another proven body to help stabilize things on the defensive side, while Harris adds depth in the secondary. The bigger ripple on the roster came on special teams, where the team moved on from veteran punter Thomas Morstead, a move that leaves Rigoberto Sanchez in position to handle punting duties against the Vikings. [Read more 🡒]