Tom James
Tribune-Star Correspondent
INDIANAPOLIS —
Five players released by the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday were signed to the team’s practice squad a day later.
Agreeing to return to the Colts were quarterback Tom Brandstater and defensive end John Chick along with three rookies — wide receiver/kick returner Brandon James, safety Mike Newton and wide receiver Blair White.
James and White were both undrafted free agents and both turned in strong performances in Thursday night’s preseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. James had four catches for 56 yards and three touchdowns while White caught seven passes for 132 yards.
The return of all five players were not a surprise. Brandstater did a nice job in relief of starter Curtis Painter against the Bengals, completing 10 of 18 passes for 178 yards and three touchdowns. Chick caught the attention of the Indianapolis coaching staff and team president Bill Polian during training camp.
While it was thought that the former Canadian Football League Defensive Player of the Year might make it past Saturday’s cuts, Chick displayed enough potential to warrant a second chance with the team. Newton also had raised his stature during training camp and came close to earning a job before the final roster cuts were made.
Indianapolis can sign three more players to its practice squad, most likely coming from other NFL team roster cut lists.
• McCluskey injury update — When former Indiana State safety Donye McCluskey was placed on the Colts’ injured/waived list early in training camp, the exact nature of his injury was not immediately announced.
McCluskey, though, suffered a hamstring injury against the San Francisco 49ers in the team’s opening preseason game.
