INDIANAPOLIS — A Colts team that remains in the AFC South driver’s seat after Sunday’s ugly Pittsburgh loss could still use some help on defense as the NFL trade deadline approaches at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Indianapolis has been in the mix, asking about the availability of players.
But far more players are rumored to be available annually at the deadline than end up actually getting moved, and a pair of league sources indicated to IndyStar on Monday morning that might be the case again.
Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen deflected a question about the team’s activity at the trade deadline to Colts general manager Chris Ballard and the rest of the front office.
“We’re working through that,” Steichen said. “Chris and his staff are doing their due diligence on that stuff, and we’ll see how it plays out.”
Indianapolis has rarely been able to find a trade partner at this time of year.
Under Ballard, the Colts have made just one deadline deal in eight seasons, granting Nyheim Hines’ trade request in 2022 by sending the running back to Buffalo for Zack Moss and a pick, a deal that worked out nicely for Indianapolis.
But the Colts have also rarely been in this position, leading the AFC South and currently sitting in the conference’s No. 1 seed with a difficult schedule ahead.
With roughly 24 hours before the deadline, Philadelphia has been the most active deal-maker, trading a third-round pick for Miami edge rusher Jaelan Phillips on Monday morning and sending late-round picks to the Ravens and Jets for cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Michael Carter last week.
Indianapolis could use help in both areas.
Only time will tell if the Colts end up finding the right opportunity.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts in the mix as NFL trade deadline approaches: ‘We’ll see how it plays out’
Reporting by Joel A. Erickson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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