Colts Trim Roster, Releasing Promising Defensive Talents

The Indianapolis Colts have been busy this week, making several roster moves ahead of the 53-man roster deadline on Tuesday, August 29th, 2025.

According to reports, the Colts have parted ways with four undrafted rookie players, including defensive tackle Devonta Davis, linebacker Solomon DeShields, cornerback Alex Johnson, and linebacker Joseph Vaughn. These players had all seen significant playing time during the preseason, with Davis, DeShields, and Johnson making strong impressions on the coaching staff.

Davis, a defensive tackle, saw action in all three preseason games, playing 54 snaps on defense and recording three tackles and one quarterback pressure. Pro Football Focus credited him with "stops" on all three of his tackles. DeShields, a linebacker, had a solid summer, flashing the ability to quickly get to the ball on screens and outside runs. He played 30 special teams snaps and 58 defensive snaps, totaling six tackles.

Cornerback Alex Johnson was also having an impressive preseason, intercepting a pass in the first game against the Baltimore Ravens. He saw significant reps with the first and second-team defense, playing 101 defensive snaps and 18 on special teams, totaling nine tackles, one interception, and four pass breakups.

Linebacker Joseph Vaughn, who was only signed by the Colts a week ago, also saw action in the preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals, playing 15 defensive snaps and 10 on special teams. He received a grade of 90.6 from Pro Football Focus, recording two tackles, one of which was for a loss.

Despite the promising performances of these undrafted rookies, the Colts have decided to part ways with them as they finalize their 53-man roster for the upcoming season. These roster cuts are a testament to the depth and competition within the Colts' organization, as they strive to field the best possible team for the 2025 campaign.