Colts Activate QB Sam Ehlinger Off IR; While Waiving QB Jacob Eason in Wave of Roster Moves

The Indianapolis Colts announced on Tuesday that the team promoted placekicker Michael Badgley from the practice squad for a consecutive week, activated quarterback Sam Ehlinger from Injured Reserve, while waiving both defensive tackle Chris Williams and quarterback Jacob Eason in corresponding 53-man roster moves.

The team also placed wide receiver Parris Campbell on injured reserve.

Of course, the biggest news here is that the Colts elected to activate 2021 6th round pick Sam Ehlinger off of injured reserve to their 53-man active roster at the expense of 2020 4th round pick (and fellow backup quarterback) Jacob Eason.

Ehlinger suffered a sprained knee in the team’s preseason finale and was subsequently placed on injured reserve. The Colts were facing a crunch time decision on whether to activate or waive him—already with a surplus of backup quarterbacks (that includes veteran Brett Hundley).

While starter Carson Wentz was recovering from a late offseason foot surgery, neither Ehlinger nor Eason clearly separated himself from the other when given first-team offense reps in training camp and preseason.

However, it appears as though even with his smaller stature, the Colts valued Ehlinger’s accuracy, pocket awareness, and mobility (maybe even his leadership and work ethic) over Eason’s bigger frame and equally big arm.

For what it’s worth, Eason’s limited 2021 regular season debut wasn’t exactly impressive—although it came in an incredibly difficult situation against a tough defense.

During Week 2, late in the 4th quarter against the Los Angeles Rams, Eason completed 2 of 5 throws for 25 passing yards—while also throwing a forced game-clinching interception.

Eason remains a raw developmental young quarterback, but given reports right now, it appears as though the Colts would like to re-sign him to the team’s practice squad.

Meanwhile, the initial diagnosis on oft-injured wideout Parris Campbell isn’t good, who will miss an extended period of time for a potentially season-ending foot injury. Campbell just cannot catch a break (*or it’s the wrong type of one*), as he injured his foot on a 51-yard touchdown pass from Wentz this past Sunday against the Houston Texans.

The Colts also placed safety Jordan Lucas and cornerback Marvell Tell on the team’s practice squad injured list.