Kenny

Moore

Per Ballard, both the players and the team just have to “have a little patience here and see what happens.” Ballard adds that he does not know if Richardson and Moore will attend the Colts’ voluntary organized team activities next week. It seems likely that both players will be released at some point in the near future if they don’t want to play with the Colts this season.

The Colts have agreed to explore trades for both Moore and Richardson, so it doesn’t come as much of a surprise to hear that neither player plans to be present for the voluntary offseason workout programs. For now, the trade market for both players has been quiet, but it’s possible they gain more steam during or after the NFL Draft, once teams have had a chance to evaluate their rosters and identify where needs still exist. Speaking later in the day, Colts GM Chris Ballard said the chance would consider releasing Moore if they were unable to find a trade partner for the veteran corner.

Moore and the Colts agreed to seek a trade on Friday. Breer notes that the Cowboys have not really settled their nickel spot and that the Vikings would value Moore’s versatility. The soon-to-be 31-year-old probably would not cost more than a Day 3 pick, per Breer, so if the Cowboys or Vikings miss out on potential draft cornerback fits, trading for Moore as a pivot makes sense.

A nine-year vet of the league who rose to stardom after going undrafted in 2017, Moore has totaled 649 tackles, 21 interceptions, and 68 pass breakups during his time with the Colts and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2021. The soon-to-be 31-year-old corner is a premier slot corner and played 578 of his 715 defensive snaps in the slot last season, per PFF. Moore started seven of the 14 games he appeared in last season and notched one interception, and is entering the final season of his contract. With no guaranteed money remaining on his current deal, Moore is likely eyeing a sign-and-trade deal.

Ward is firmly on track to play in Week 12 against the Colts. The Colts’ secondary has been banged up this year, so Ward’s return is a positive occurrence. Colts slot CB Kenny Moore II is also fully healthy after dealing with an Achilles injury for much of the year.

Moore missed three games with the Achilles injury and should return as an immediate starter in the nickel as the Colts try to shore up their cornerback room from the inside-out.

That makes it three weeks in a row for Moore, who has not practiced since the Thursday ahead of Week 5. He’s a potential IR candidate over the weekend. With Mike Hilton on practice squad IR, the Colts cornerback corps shouldn’t be able to limit what little there is to limit of the Raiders passing attack. Backup RB Tyler Goodson (groin) joined Moore on the rule-out list.

In addition to Moore, the Colts also ruled out backup RB Tyler Goodson (groin). Week 5’s absence will mark the second missed game for Moore, who was injured in Week 3’s win over the Titans. The abrupt retirement of CB Xavien Howard earlier in the week will leave the Colts thin at corner against a Raiders offense that features decent talent in the passing game despite their slow start.

The Colts’ stalwart slot defender may still be a week or two away from suiting up on game day, but this is a promising first step. Moore sat out Indianapolis’ Week 4 game against the Rams after playing a season-high 50 snaps in Week 3. They face the Raiders this week, whose interior pass catchers, WR Jakobi Meyers and TE Brock Bowers, are the receiving corps’ strong points.

On Monday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Moore is expected to miss a few weeks with a calf injury. This week’s injury report instead lists Moore with an Achilles tendon injury, which increases concerns. The muscle and tendon are obviously connected, but the latter tends to be a more significant issue. Hopefully, he heals up without issue. Moore will be missed against the Rams in Week 4.