Colts Waive CB Mekhi Blackmon

This transaction comes almost a year to the day the Colts acquired Blackmon from the Vikings on Aug. 25, 2005. Although the Vikings spent a third-round pick on Blackmon in 2023, they accepted a sixth-rounder in return two years later. The trade came in the wake of a lost 2024 season for Blackmon, who sat out the year with a torn ACL.

Blackmon, who played 435 defensive snaps during a 15-game rookie campaign in 2023, saw far more action with the Colts last season. Thanks in part to injuries to in-season acquisition Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward, Blackmon was on the field for 783 snaps. Blackmon, who lined up on the boundary for 629 snaps, led Colts corners in playing time.

Over a full 17-game season, the 5-foot-11, 178-pound Blackmon logged 64 tackles, seven pass breakups, two interceptions and a sack. As the nearest defender on 75 targets, he gave up a 64% completion rate and an 86.9 passer rating. Despite those decent numbers, Pro Football Focus ranked Blackmon’s performance 98th among 112 qualified corners. Only six CB were worse in coverage than Blackmon, per PFF.

The Colts are again planning to deploy Gardner and Ward as their top two corners, though the latter just returned to practice Tuesday after missing two-plus weeks with back issues (via Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star). Ward admitted he will have to manage his back pain throughout the season, but he expects to be ready for Week 1. Durability has become a concern with Ward, especially after he suffered three concussions and missed 10 games in 2025. The 30-year-old mulled retirement in the offseason before deciding to continue his career.

Back in March, Indianapolis signed ex-Bengal Cam Taylor-Britt to a one-year, $1.4MM deal to provide depth behind Gardner and Ward. However, he will miss their season opener against the Ravens as a result of a one-game suspension. Harris, Johnathan Edwards, Jaylon Jones, Mekhi Rodgers and Robert Carter Jr. make up the rest of the Colts’ outside depth corners.