Colts elevate WR Keke Coutee, kicker Chase McLaughlin to active roster

The wide receiver and kicker positions are in flux in Indianapolis at the moment, so it comes as no surprise that the Colts have addressed both with their two allotted practice-squad elevations. Per a team announcement, the Colts are bringing up Keke Coutee and Chase McLaughlin to the active roster. 

Coutee, 25, is continuing his Colts tenure, which began last season. The former Texans fourth-rounder spent three years in Houston, setting career highs in receptions (33), yards (400) and touchdowns (three) in 2020. His 11.3 yards-per-catch average throughout his time with his first team made the slot man an intriguing candidate for a reserve/futures deal.

While the 5-foot-11, 180-pounder was among the Colts’ final roster cuts before the start of the season, he returned to their taxi squad. That left the door open to him playing a potential rotational role, but he could see a significant workload Sunday  given the injuries to top wideouts Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce. Coutee will join Parris Campbell, Ashton Dulin, Mike Strachan and Dezmon Patmon in trying to replace those two.

McLaughlin, meanwhile, has obviously gotten the nod over undrafted rookie Lucas Havrisik to step in for Rodrigo Blankenship. The latter was waived earlier this week, after his struggles greatly contributed to the Colts having to settle for a Week 1 tie. McLaughlin finished the 2019 campaign in Indianapolis, making five of his six field-goal attempts. The team will look for him to replicate that level of success, after he went just 15-of-21 with the Browns last season.

The Colts will lean on Coutee and McLaughlin Sunday as they look to get in the win column against the Jaguars. The pair could play their way into a full-time roster spot with encouraging performances at positions of need, making their contributions a storyline to watch.