INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts reduce ties with Colby Wood, the participant they bought in return for Zaire Franklin, earlier than he may ever play a snap.
Wood was speculated to be a high-upside pickup, a participant who would thrive in a protection that requested him to play his pure place, the 3-technique defensive sort out, as an alternative of the nostril sort out spot the Packers requested him to play final yr. Ideally, the Colts envisioned Wood as a flexible backup who may spell DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, the group’s growing older stars.
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Indianapolis ended up maintaining 5 defensive tackles. Wood wasn’t considered one of them.
Indianapolis launched Wood on Sunday, and he was instantly claimed on waivers by the Saints, leaving the Colts with little to point out for the Franklin commerce apart from $4 million to $5 million in salary-cap house.
Colts basic supervisor Chris Ballard pushed again on that analysis of the commerce in his press convention on Tuesday.
“It created nice competitors inside,” Ballard stated. “One of many issues we wished to do was be certain that we’ve got sufficient depth inside to have the ability to spell Buck and Grove. All the fellows we had, they’re all on NFL rosters proper now. We knew we have been going to chop a man that ended up being on any person else’s group.”
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) watches the sport from the sidelines on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in the course of the preseason recreation in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) watches the sport from the sidelines on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in the course of the preseason recreation in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) runs on the keeper in the course of the first half in opposition to the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Aug. 13, 2026.
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Aug 22, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) drops again to throw in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons in the course of the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Robert Goddin-Imagn Pictures
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Indianapolis Colts working again DJ Giddens (21) celebrates a landing Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in the course of the recreation in opposition to the Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Indianapolis Colts working again Seth McGowan (20) rushes up the sector Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in the course of the preseason recreation in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Indianapolis Colts working again Jonathan Taylor (28) walks on the sector Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, forward of the sport in opposition to the Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Indianapolis Colts large receiver Keenan Allen speaks with media Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, forward of the Colts’ joint observe with the Atlanta Falcons at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Deion Burks of the Indianapolis Colts runs with the ball whereas defended by Amen Ogbongbemiga of the Detroit Lions in the course of the preseason recreation at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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Jul 31, 2026; Westfield, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts large receiver Josh Downs (2) participates in a drill on day three of coaching camp at Grand Park Sports activities Campus. Obligatory Credit score: Robert Goddin-Imagn Pictures
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Indianapolis Colts large receiver Ashton Dulin (16) works his method open throughout a drill Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, throughout a joint observe with the Atlanta Falcons at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts large receiver Alec Pierce (14) runs downfield after a catch Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, throughout observe at Indiana Farm Bureau Soccer Heart.
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Indianapolis Colts large receiver Laquon Treadwell (13) takes a move downfield Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, throughout a joint observe with the Atlanta Falcons at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts tight finish Mo Alie-Cox (81) catches a ball in the course of the group’s veteran minicamp Tuesday, June 9, 2026, on the Indiana Farm Bureau Soccer Heart in Indianapolis.
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Indianapolis Colts tight finish Will Mallory (86) pulls in a move Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, throughout a joint observe with the Atlanta Falcons at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts tight finish Drew Ogletree (85) pulls in a catch Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, throughout observe at Indiana Farm Bureau Soccer Heart.
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Indianapolis Colts tight finish Tyler Warren (84) participates in a drill on day three of coaching camp at Grand Park Sports activities Campus in Westfield, Indiana on July 31, 2026.
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Indianapolis Colts heart Tanor Bortolini (60) high-fives Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, forward of the sport in opposition to the Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Aug 11, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; Indianapolis Colts guard Dalton Tucker (68) appears to be like on throughout coaching camp at Gillette Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Eric Canha-Imagn Pictures
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Aug 22, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Buffalo Payments heart Sedrick van Pran-Granger (62) in the course of the second half at Huntington Financial institution Subject. Obligatory Credit score: Ken Blaze-Imagn Pictures
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Indianapolis Colts guard Jalen Farmer (62) places on his helmet on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, throughout observe at Colts Camp at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts guard Matt Goncalves (71) stretches Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in the course of the Colts Camp Kickoff at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Nov 30, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) warms up earlier than a recreation in opposition to the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Robert Goddin-Imagn Pictures
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Indianapolis Colts sort out Bernhard Raimann (79) works by blocking drills Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, throughout observe at Indiana Farm Bureau Soccer Heart.
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Indianapolis Colts offensive sort out Luke Tenuta (67) walks the sector in the course of the group’s minicamp Thursday, June 11, 2026, on the Indiana Farm Bureau Soccer Heart in Indianapolis.
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Indianapolis Colts offensive sort out Jalen Travis (75) stretches Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in the course of the Colts Camp Kickoff at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Oct 6, 2024; Tottenham, ENG; New York Jets Defensive linesman Micheal Clemons (72) throughout a observe session earlier than the match in opposition to Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Shaun Brooks-Imagn Pictures
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Indianapolis Colts defensive finish Arden Key (98) practices in the course of the group’s veteran minicamp Tuesday, June 9, 2026, on the Indiana Farm Bureau Soccer Heart in Indianapolis.
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Indianapolis Colts defensive finish Laiatu Latu (97) prepares for group drills Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, throughout observe at Indiana Farm Bureau Soccer Heart.
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Indianapolis Colts defensive finish Jaylahn Tuimoloau (91) yells in pleasure Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in the course of the recreation in opposition to the Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Detroit Lions defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 25-16.
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Indianapolis Colts defensive sort out Adetomiwa Adebawore brings down Las Vegas Raiders working again Dylan Laube.
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Indianapolis Colts defensive sort out Jerry Tillery (94) practices in the course of the group’s minicamp Thursday, June 11, 2026, on the Indiana Farm Bureau Soccer Heart in Indianapolis.
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Indianapolis Colts participant Tim Smith (93) stretches throughout coaching Camp at Grand Park on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Westfield, Ind.
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Indianapolis Colts defensive sort out DeForest Buckner (99) walks up the sector on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, throughout observe at Colts Camp at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts defensive sort out Grover Stewart (90) prepares for a drill Monday, July 28, 2025, throughout coaching camp held at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts linebacker Austin Ajiake (58) wraps up Houston Texans large receiver Jaylin Noel (14) on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, throughout a recreation at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Indianapolis Colts linebacker Tahj Chambers (44) runs drills on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in the course of the Colts Camp Kickoff at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Jun 10, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker CJ Allen (53) participates in a drill throughout minicamp at Indiana Farm Bureau Soccer Heart. Obligatory Credit score: Robert Goddin-Imagn Pictures
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Aug 29, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Bryce Boettcher (50) throughout warmups earlier than the sport in opposition to the Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Robert Goddin-Imagn Pictures
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Indianapolis Colts linebacker Jaylon Carlies (57) sits earlier than observe begins throughout coaching camp Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Grand Park Sports activities Advanced in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts edge rusher Caden Curry (55) celebrates a recovered fumble Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in the course of the recreation in opposition to the Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Detroit Lions defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 25-16.
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Indianapolis Colts linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (51) walks up the sector on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, throughout observe at Colts Camp at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. (52) rushes up the sector Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, throughout Colts Camp observe at Gand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Johnathan Edwards (35) warms up in the course of the group’s veteran minicamp Tuesday, June 9, 2026, on the Indiana Farm Bureau Soccer Heart in Indianapolis.
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Aug 29, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) throughout warmups earlier than the sport in opposition to the Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Robert Goddin-Imagn Pictures
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Aug 22, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jaylon Jones (40) breaks up a move in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons in the course of the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Robert Goddin-Imagn Pictures
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Aug 22, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (26) reacts after a play in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons in the course of the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Robert Goddin-Imagn Pictures
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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Justin Walley (27) pulls in a move Monday, June 1, 2026, throughout observe on the Indiana Farm Bureau Soccer Heart.
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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr. (7) holds his helmet Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, throughout day 4 of Indianapolis Colts coaching camp at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Jun 9, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts security Cam Bynum (0) participates in a drill throughout minicamp at Indiana Farm Bureau Soccer Heart. Obligatory Credit score: Robert Goddin-Imagn Pictures
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Indianapolis Colts security A.J. Haulcy (25) walks up the sector Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, throughout observe at Colts Camp at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts security Jonathan Owens (38) stretches Thursday, July 30, 2026, in the course of the second of Colts Camp at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts security Hunter Wohler (30) celebrates Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in the course of the recreation in opposition to the Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Detroit Lions defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 25-16.
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Aug 13, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Indianapolis Colts place kicker Spencer Shrader (3) appears to be like on in the course of the first half in opposition to the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Eric Canha-Imagn Pictures
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Indianapolis Colts punter Rigoberto Sanchez (8) holds for a placekick Friday, July 25, 2025, throughout coaching camp held at Grand Park in Westfield.
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Indianapolis Colts lengthy snapper Luke Rhodes (46) celebrates Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader (3) 60 yard area aim kick on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in the course of the recreation in opposition to the Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Detroit Lions defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 25-16.
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Wood repeatedly advised reporters this offseason that he believed the Indianapolis protection can be a greater match for him.
Undersized for a nostril sort out at 6-foot-4, 273 kilos, Wood was speculated to be a penetrating, disruptive inside pressure in Indianapolis.
However the Colts had higher choices. Adetomiwa Adebawore, one other undersized choice, is coming off a four-sack season and regarded just like the group’s greatest inside rusher in coaching camp. Free agent Micheal Clemons is listed as a defensive finish, however he repeatedly flashed a capability to beat guards along with his quickness when he is deployed inside.
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That left Wood making an attempt to show himself as a run stopper, and he struggled to duplicate his success in Inexperienced Bay.
“I do not know if it was as a lot about Colby because it was about (Jerry) Tillery and Tim Smith,” Ballard stated. “These two youngsters, they performed higher.”
Tillery, 29, is a seven-year veteran of the Chargers, Raiders, Vikings and Chiefs.
Smith, a 2025 sixth-rounder, spent his whole rookie season on the observe squad, then made a robust push as soon as the Colts reached the preseason. A backup to Stewart, Smith led the Colts with 14 tackles within the preseason.
“I am happy with him,” Ballard stated. “He had his struggles final preseason, and actually into the yr. We caught with him, he saved working and actually, a lightweight got here on. He performed his ass off the final three weeks of coaching camp and within the preseason.”
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Underneath Ballard’s management, the Colts have sometimes saved at the least one direct backup to Stewart on the roster.
This time, Indianapolis saved two.
“Colby’s an ideal dude,” Ballard stated. “These different guys simply performed higher.”
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cowl the Coltsall season. Get extra protection on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider e-newsletter.
This text initially appeared on Indianapolis Star: Chris Ballard defends Zaire Franklin commerce after Colts launch Colby Wood
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