To make space for those additions, the Colts released cornerback David Long Jr. from the practice squad. The timing likely connects to the Gardner trade, as Indianapolis trims its DB room to balance roster numbers. Long has logged 79 career games across six teams, including brief stints with the Colts, Rams, and Packers.

Mitchell was drafted to hedge the Colts' bets at wide receiver, but Alec Pierce's emergence and Mitchell's inability to finish plays cost him.

The Indianapolis Colts are all in on their 2025 squad that currently sits atop the AFC standings with a 7-2 record through the first nine weeks of the season. Running back Jonathan Taylor is the NFL's top rusher, and quarterback Daniel Jones is playing at a Pro Bowl-caliber level, which no one could have foreseen before the season kicked off.

The New York Jets dealt star cornerback Sauce Gardner to Indianapolis for two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell in a blockbuster trade Tuesday. The Colts were already sitting pretty at 7-2, and now they've upgraded their biggest weakness by adding an elite player in Gardner.

🚨REMINDER: Former Los Angeles #Chargers standout cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. is still a FREE AGENT. Asante is still only 26 years old and a former second-round pick. Samuel has training every day and appears to be in the best shape of his career. 👀 pic.twitter.com/x3LJP5TBXJ

Despite a dominant win over a team many outlets had ranked as one of the teams in the NFL going into the week, the Steelers didn’t rise up the power rankings much. The Steelers will have plenty of eyes on them this weekend as they take on the banged up Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football.