Indianapolis Colts Make Decision to Release Veteran Safety Kenny Moore II

Kenny Moore II's Run With the Indianapolis Colts

Moore's path to becoming one of the more productive defensive players in Colts history was anything but straightforward. He went undrafted out of Division II Valdosta State in 2017, briefly landed with the New England Patriots and was waived before his rookie season even got started.

Indianapolis claimed him off waivers on cut-down day that same year, and what followed was nearly a decade of steady, impactful football.

He played in 132 games with 111 starts and finished his Colts career with 21 interceptions, four of which he returned for touchdowns. Two of those pick-sixes came in the same game against the Carolina Panthers in 2023, a performance that set a franchise record.

Moore also posted 649 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, 20 quarterback hits and six forced fumbles. His tenure earned him a Pro Bowl selection in 2021, four team captain honors and three Walter Payton Man of the Year nominations.

Justin Walley Potentially Steps Into the Role

With Moore gone, the Colts are turning to Justin Walley to handle slot cornerback duties. The third-round pick from the 2025 draft had built real momentum heading into his rookie year after a strong training camp showing, but a torn ACL suffered during a joint practice against the Baltimore Ravens ended his season before it started.

Now healthy and back in the mix, Walley steps into a secondary that has some serious talent around him. Two-time first-team All-Pro Sauce Gardner and 2023 second-team All-Pro Charvarius Ward Sr. are set to line up as the starting outside cornerbacks when the season opens.

The environment is there for Walley to develop. Whether he can hold down the slot after missing his entire rookie year is the question Indianapolis needs answered sooner rather than later.