The Indianapolis Colts waived Isaiah Land after a standout preseason showing, capping a surprising summer surge with a roster-cut decision driven by numbers rather than performance. Land totaled seven pressures and a sack across three games, flashing consistent disruption and a win-rate near the top among defensive ends. Despite the splash, the Colts faced a crowded DE room with Laiatu Latu, Kwity Paye, JT Tuimoloau, Samson Ebukam, and Tyquan Lewis—six players who all demand snaps. Land’s waiver reflects the brutal math of regular-season roles more than a critique of his play.

Land’s strong preseason included three pressures in each of the last two games, plus solid run defense grades and tackling numbers. Still, a near-impossible task to allocate meaningful snaps to six ends made Land expendable. The decision leaves Land at a crossroads: a potential practice-squad candidate who could surface again if injuries or performance shifts create a clearer path to playing time. The Colts’ move underscores roster-building realities in a competitive depth chart.

Riley Leonard led the Colts in a 41-14 preseason win over Cincinnati, completing 15 of 20 for 189 yards and delivering a 59-yard TD to Laquon Treadwell in the first half. Indianapolis leaned on Leonard’s mobility to extend plays, while Shane Steichen designed plays to get him out of the pocket. The defense limited Cincinnati’s passing to under 100 yards, but the Bengals exploited the run game for 132 on 23 carries. Standouts Isaiah Land, Daniel Scott and Treadwell pushed final roster decisions, and the ball on Leonard’s TD pass was saved for him by Anthony Richardson after his first NFL TD. The game offered a clear snapshot of Colts depth and fantasy angles as rosters finalize later this week.

Colts preseason finale vs. Bengals offered crisp roster signals and a handful of standout performers. Will Mallory solidified TE4 duties ahead of Jelani Woods, while Luke Tenuta grabbed the final tackle spot at right tackle. Adetomiwa Adebawore dominated as the fourth DT, with Cam McGrone and Austin Ajiake earlier earning starting linebacker reps alongside Joe Bachie. Laquon Treadwell exploded for 116 yards on six catches, and Isaiah Land flashed pass-rush punch. Riley Leonard was efficient through the air, and the unit overall posted a clean, low-penalty game.

Defensively, run-stopping remains a work in progress when Buckner or Grover Stewart aren’t on the field, a reminder that the Colts will lean on a versatile, blitz-happy style under Anarumo. The depth pieces at cornerback and wide receiver are still sorting out roster spots as the Colts weigh seven-defensive-back looks or heavy coverage schemes. Fantasy angles tilt toward Mallory, Treadwell, Land, and the DL/LB depth, with a keen eye on how the 53-man decisions shake out for Week 1.

Isaiah Land lit up Week 3 vs Cincinnati, finishing with a sack, two pressures, and two tackles for loss, signaling a possible six-man Colts defensive-end rotation if depth holds. His burst and disruptive reps keep him in the mix amid a crowded DE group.

Daniel Scott forced an interception that Ridder returned for a TD and added two tackles and a run stop, solidifying his place as a backup safety with special-teams upside. Laquon Treadwell turned six targets into 116 yards, including a long 59-yard score, but Indy’s WR depth makes him a prime practice-squad candidate despite the production.

Final roster decisions loom large after these performances, guiding fantasy managers as depth charts and potential practice-squad moves form Indy’s late-camp landscape.

As the Indianapolis Colts gear up for the 2024 NFL season, defensive end Isaiah Land stands out as a key player in the roster mix. Standing at 6'4" and weighing 235 pounds, Land, 25, enters his third NFL season after a promising tenure at Florida A&M. Last season, he recorded a defensive snap count of 78, primarily working within the team's rotational scheme. While his performance metrics, including a PFF grade of 49.1 on defense and 66.9 on special teams, indicate room for improvement, Land's potential is evident.

The Colts are expecting to enhance their pass rush, and Land's continued development could play a pivotal role in their defensive strategy as they prepare for training camp. With a focus on building a robust defense, the Colts will look to maximize Land's contributions this upcoming season.