The Indianapolis Colts will have several difficult decisions to make before trimming their roster to 53 players, and two recognizable names could end up on the outside looking in.
The Athletic’s James Boyd projected the Colts’ initial 53-man roster on Tuesday, noting running back DJ Giddens and defensive tackle Jerry Tillery among his notable cuts.
Giddens, a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, entered training camp with an opportunity to slot in as Jonathan Taylor’s primary backup. A hamstring injury has kept him sidelined for most of camp, though, allowing rookie Seth McGowan and Ulysses Bentley IV to gain ground in the competition.
Boyd projected Taylor, McGowan and Bentley to make the roster at running back, leaving Giddens without a spot one year after Indianapolis drafted him.
Tillery's situation is different.
The veteran defensive tackle was described by Boyd as the “hardest cut” along the defensive line, particularly because general manager Chris Ballard has traditionally prioritized depth in the trenches.
The issue is Indianapolis has stiff competition up front. Boyd projected DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Adetomiwa Adebawore and Colby Wooden as the interior defensive linemen to survive final cuts.
And it's Wooden’s ability to play multiple spots at both 3-technique and nose tackle that could work against Tillery.
NFL teams must reduce their rosters to 53 players by Aug. 30.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts draft pick, veteran defender projected to miss 53-man roster