Five Inactives Announced by Indianapolis Colts for Chiefs Clash

Hours before the Indianapolis Colts take the field against the Kansas City Chiefs in a high-stakes AFC showdown, the team made a critical announcement that could shape the game’s outcome: the release of their five inactive players. In the NFL, inactive lists—finalized 90 minutes before kickoff—include players who will not participate in the game, often due to injury, strategic roster choices, or healthy scratches. For the Colts, this week’s list carries extra weight, as the Chiefs boast one of the league’s most potent offenses led by Patrick Mahomes. Every player on the 53-man roster contributes to game-day plans, so deciding who to sit requires balancing health, matchups, and depth. The Colts’ coaching staff spent days evaluating practice reps, injury recoveries, and opponent tendencies to finalize the list, knowing that even one inactive player could create a gap in their game plan. In a matchup where every detail matters, Five Inactives Announced by Indianapolis Colts for Chiefs Clash is more than a routine roster update—it’s a strategic move that reflects the team’s priorities for defeating a top-tier opponent.

Five Inactives Announced by Indianapolis Colts for Chiefs Clash includes a mix of players dealing with injuries and healthy scratches, each decision tied to the Colts’ specific game plan against the Chiefs. The most notable name on the list is backup running back Zack Moss, who has been sidelined with a hamstring strain suffered in last week’s practice. Moss, who typically handles 15-20 touches per game when healthy, was ruled out after failing to participate in full-contact drills on Friday. The list also features rookie offensive lineman Blake Freeland, a fourth-round draft pick who has seen limited action this season; coaches opted to keep more experienced linemen active to counter the Chiefs’ aggressive pass rush. Two defensive backups—linebacker Segun Olubi and cornerback Darrell Baker Jr.—are also inactive, along with tight end Mo Alie-Cox, who is a healthy scratch. For Alie-Cox, the decision comes down to depth: the Colts already have three other tight ends active, including starter Kylen Granson, who has emerged as a key target in the passing game. Each inactive spot was chosen to maximize the team’s on-field talent against the Chiefs, with coaches prioritizing players who fit specific roles in stopping Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense.

A closer look at the inactive list reveals how the Colts are tailoring their roster to counter the Chiefs’ unique offensive strengths. The Chiefs’ offense relies heavily on quick passes to wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, as well as Mahomes’ ability to extend plays with his legs. By keeping Olubi and Baker Jr. inactive, the Colts are choosing to lean on more experienced defensive backs and linebackers who have proven track records against mobile quarterbacks. For example, instead of Olubi, the Colts will activate veteran linebacker E.J. Speed, who has recorded two sacks and four tackles for loss this season and excels at containing quarterbacks on designed runs. On the offensive side, sitting Freeland allows the Colts to keep backup tackle Braden Smith active; Smith, who has started 12 games this season, is better equipped to block Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones, one of the league’s top pass rushers with 11 sacks. Even the decision to inactive Moss, while unfortunate due to injury, led the Colts to promote practice squad running back Jake Funk, who is faster and better suited to handle the Chiefs’ fast-paced defense. Every inactive choice, in short, is a direct response to the Chiefs’ strengths, showing the Colts’ commitment to game-specific roster building.

A critical factor behind Five Inactives Announced by Indianapolis Colts for Chiefs Clash is the Colts’ recent focus on injury management, a priority that has helped them stay competitive in a tough AFC South. The Indianapolis Colts have been cautious with players dealing with minor injuries this season, opting to sit them in high-intensity matchups rather than risk long-term absences. Moss’ hamstring strain, for instance, is not considered severe, but coaches decided to hold him out against the Chiefs to avoid worsening the injury—especially with a divisional game against the Jacksonville Jaguars coming up next week. This approach has paid off: the Colts have one of the lowest injury rates among NFL teams this season, with key players like quarterback Anthony Richardson and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. staying healthy for most games. By prioritizing long-term health over a single game, the Colts are ensuring they remain a playoff contender deep into the season. The inactive list, in this sense, is more than a game-day decision—it’s part of a larger strategy to keep the roster intact and competitive for the stretch run.

Another angle to Five Inactives Announced by Indianapolis Colts for Chiefs Clash is the impact it will have on the Colts’ special teams units, which often fly under the radar but play a crucial role in close games. The Chiefs have one of the league’s top special teams units, with a return game that has scored two touchdowns this season and a punt coverage unit that ranks fifth in the NFL. The Colts’ inactive list includes players who contribute heavily to special teams, like Olubi and Baker Jr., so coaches had to adjust their special teams rotations to fill the gaps. For example, the Indianapolis Colts will rely on linebacker Zaire Franklin and defensive back Julian Blackmon to take on extra special teams reps—both players have experience in kickoff and punt coverage but typically focus on defense. Coaches spent extra time in practice this week rehearsing these new rotations, ensuring that the inactive players’ absence doesn’t create vulnerabilities in special teams. This attention to detail is critical: against the Chiefs, a single special teams mistake—like a long kickoff return or a blocked punt—could swing the game in Kansas City’s favor. The Colts’ inactive list, therefore, required careful coordination across all three phases of the game: offense, defense, and special teams.

As kickoff approaches, the significance of Five Inactives Announced by Indianapolis Colts for Chiefs Clash continues to sink in for fans and analysts alike. For the Indianapolis Colts, the list represents a calculated risk—sitting key backups and dealing with injury absences while facing one of the league’s best teams. But it also reflects the team’s confidence in its depth: the players activated in place of the inactives have been preparing for this moment all season, with coaches ensuring they know their roles inside and out. For example, Funk, the practice squad running back, has spent weeks studying the Colts’ running plays and blocking schemes, so he can step in seamlessly for Moss. On defense, Speed has watched hours of film on Mahomes’ scrambling tendencies, preparing to step up in Olubi’s absence. While the inactive list brings challenges, it also gives the Colts a chance to showcase their roster depth—a quality that will be essential if they want to compete with the Chiefs and other top AFC teams. In the end, Five Inactives Announced by Indianapolis Colts for Chiefs Clash is a reminder of the strategic complexity of NFL game days, where even roster decisions made hours before kickoff can determine the outcome of a season-defining game.