The Indianapolis Colts made several significant roster moves today, including placing defensive tackle DeForest Buckner on the Injured Reserve list and promoting defensive end Genard Avery from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Additionally, the team signed defensive tackle Adam Gotsis, cornerback Gregory Junior, and defensive end Titus Leo to the practice squad, while releasing defensive tackle McTelvin Agim and cornerback Ameer Speed from the same squad.
Genard Avery, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs 250 pounds, joined the Colts’ practice squad on August 28, 2024. He originally signed with Indianapolis as a free agent on June 1, 2023. Avery has appeared in 62 career games, including 17 starts, with the Colts (2023-24), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2022), Philadelphia Eagles (2019-21), and Cleveland Browns (2018-19). His career stats include 100 tackles (61 solo), 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, five passes defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and six special teams tackles. He has also participated in one postseason game, registering one tackle. Avery’s first name is pronounced juh-NARD.
DeForest Buckner, a key defensive force at 6 feet 7 inches and 295 pounds, has been placed on the Injured Reserve list. Buckner has started 126 of 131 career regular-season games with the Colts (2020-24) and the San Francisco 49ers (2016-20). His career achievements include 550 tackles (336 solo), 81 tackles for loss, 62.5 sacks, 27 passes defensed, nine forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries (including one returned for a touchdown), and one special teams stop.
In the postseason, Buckner has started four games, recording 14 tackles (11 solo), 2 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. This season, Buckner has played in two games (one start), accumulating seven tackles (five solo), 1 tackle for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
Adam Gotsis, a defensive tackle standing 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 290 pounds, has joined the practice squad. Gotsis has played 121 career games with 54 starts across his tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2020-24) and Denver Broncos (2016-19).
He has amassed 216 tackles (133 solo), 25 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 22 passes defensed, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and two special teams stops. Gotsis has also appeared in two postseason games, recording two solo tackles and one special teams stop. He was drafted by the Broncos in the second round (63rd overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft from Georgia Tech. His last name is pronounced GOT-sis.
Gregory Junior, who is 6 feet tall and weighs 190 pounds, has been signed to the practice squad. He has appeared in 10 career games over two seasons (2022-23) with the Jacksonville Jaguars, totaling 17 tackles (11 solo), 2 tackles for loss, and one pass defensed. Junior was drafted by the Jaguars in the sixth round (197th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft from Ouachita Baptist.
Titus Leo, standing 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 245 pounds, is also joining the practice squad. He spent Week 1 on the practice squad and participated in the Colts’ 2024 offseason program and training camp. As a rookie in 2023, Leo was on Injured Reserve for the entire season. He was drafted by Indianapolis in the sixth round (211th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. In college, Leo played 38 games (33 starts) at Wagner, totaling 234 tackles (140 solo), 40 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, four passes defensed, one interception, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and three blocked extra points. He was a two-time NEC Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time First Team All-NEC selection.
McTelvin Agim, who is 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 300 pounds, has been released from the practice squad. He was signed on August 29, 2024, and has played 18 career games with the Colts (2022-24), Houston Texans (2023-24), and Denver Broncos (2020-21). Agim has recorded 14 tackles (four solo), 1 tackle for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two passes defensed. He was drafted by Denver in the third round (95th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft from Arkansas. His last name is pronounced UH-geem.
Ameer Speed, standing 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 215 pounds, has also been released from the practice squad. He was originally claimed by the Colts off waivers from the New England Patriots on October 20, 2023. Speed played in eight games with the Colts last season, recording one solo tackle, 1 tackle for loss, and five special teams stops. With the Patriots, he appeared in five games, making two solo tackles and one special teams stop. Speed was drafted by New England in the sixth round (214th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft from Michigan State.