The Indianapolis Colts were quick to bring their 190th overall selection Tim Smith back to the practice squad Thursday.
The defensive tackle out of Alabama made the initial 53-man roster earlier in the week, but was waived Wednesday to make room for newly-acquired linebacker Chad Muma.
Smith will have a chance to continue developing under veteran defensive tackles Grover Stewart, DeForest Buckner and Eric Johnson II after a brief roster shuffle ahead of the 2025-26 NFL season.
Colts Sustain D-Line Depth
During Smith’s collegiate career with the Crimson Tide, he appeared in 64 games, starting 32, and totaled 124 tackles — 14.5 for loss, 6.5 sacks and one forced fumble. He has the size (6-foot-4, 306 pounds) and athleticism to provide value in rotational snaps and contribute on special teams when needed.
The Colts kept 11 defensive linemen on their active roster, including six at defensive tackle, making competition fierce. Johnson consistently played ahead of Smith in the preseason, limiting the rookie’s snaps and positioning him as a developmental talent for the 2025 campaign.
The organization collected Muma off waivers for another experienced locker room presence. He’s appeared in 50 games, with one absence on his sheet in three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
While the move temporarily displaced Smith, signing him to the practice squad keeps him within the organization’s structure. It also allows the Colts to maintain depth and continuity while giving Smith time to adjust to the speed and complexity of the NFL.
What’s Next?
There wasn’t much time or opportunity for him to prove his skill set in three of the Colts’ preseason games — recording two solo tackles and one forced fumble — but he’ll be learning behind one of the league’s stoutest defensive fronts.
“Hard hat defensive tackle who is much more of a plugger than a playmaker,” Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote in his draft profile. “Smith has average size and traits, but he thumps blockers with accurate strikes and anchors down to clog lanes. He can set a firm edge or control the block as a two-gapper but a lack of length could catch up with him as a pro. He has enough power to get into the pocket on occasion, but he might need scheme help to get home as a rusher. Smith plays with pretty good power and sound technique. He could become a rotational defender in the NFL.”
The Indianapolis defense, as a whole, wasn’t spectacular in 2024. Ranked 29th in total yards allowed, prone to collapses, and nowhere near the standard Shane Steichen wants for a potential playoff push.
But in just a few months, Steichen believes the defense will be a “strength” in 2025.
“I think obviously with the defensive line with (DeForest) Buckner and Grover (Stewart) and (Laiatu) Latu and Kwity (Paye) and Samson (Ebukam), those guys up front. Adding Neville (Gallimore) is big. And Zaire (Franklin) in the middle. I think Nick Cross is really coming on going into his next year.. And obviously we have some competition going on at the corner spot. I really like where our defense is at, and the aggressive nature we’re playing with in training camp.”
Stacking depth is imperative in the waning days of the offseason, and Smith has a chance to be a huge part of what the franchise built this summer.
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