An unexpected development drastically improves the odds for a veteran player to make the Colts' 53-man roster

The NFL passed a new rule this offseason that would allow each team to elevate the "Emergency Third Quarterback" from their practice squad as many times as they would like. This led most, including myself, to believe most teams would only keep two QBs on their active rosters. But the NFLPA has officially vetoed that new […]

Destin Adams NFL News Writer
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Aug 22, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium.
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The NFL passed a new rule this offseason that would allow each team to elevate the "Emergency Third Quarterback" from their practice squad as many times as they would like. This led most, including myself, to believe most teams would only keep two QBs on their active rosters. 

But the NFLPA has officially vetoed that new rule, a massive change that comes just one day before the deadline for teams to reduce their rosters to 53 players. 

My final prediction for the Indianapolis Colt's 53-man roster is that only keep two QBs: Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco. However, with this news, Sam Ehlinger's odds of making the roster drastically improved. 


Sam Ehlinger

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger (4) walks the field after losing to the Bengals on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, after Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. The Colts lost, 14-34.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Colts drafted Ehlinger with the 218th pick in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. And he's found himself on the team's active roster every season since. He's entering the final year of his rookie contract and has appeared in 12 regular season games for the team the last three years, as well as starting three games in 2022. 

Ehlinger has always been one of the top performers across the NFL during the preseason during his career, and there's no doubt in my mind he could be a solid backup for multiple teams. Even though I had the team cutting him, I personally didn't think he would make it back to the team on waivers. Now that the new rule involving the emergency QB 3 position has been vetoed, I'm not sure the Cotls will be willing to risk Ehlinger up for waivers, making the decisions the team will make over the next 24 hours even more difficult. I don't envy NFL decision-makers one bit, especially when a drastic change is announced this close to cut-down day.