Indianapolis – The Indianapolis Colts today claimed defensive tackle Eric Johnson II off waivers (from New England) and waived safety Marcel Dabo. The team also designated tight end Maximilian Mang as Exempt/International Player.
Johnson II, 6-4, 299 pounds, rejoins the Colts after spending last season with the Patriots. He has played in 39 career games in his time with New England (2024) and Indianapolis (2022-23) and has compiled 35 tackles (nine solo), 1.0 tackle for loss, 1.0 sack and one fumble recovery. In 2024, Johnson II saw action in 11 games and registered 17 tackles (two solo). He was originally selected by the Colts in the fifth round (159th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Missouri State.
Dabo, 6-0, 208 pounds, was originally signed by Indianapolis as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. He spent the last three seasons on Indianapolis' practice squad. Dabo competed in the European League of Football as a cornerback and kick returner for the Stuttgart Surge, where he compiled 28 tackles and one interception. He was named to the 2021 ELF All-Star team and won the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Mang, 6-6, 263 pounds, was signed by the Colts as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2025. He saw action in 50 career games (12 starts) at Syracuse (2021-24) and registered nine receptions for 60 yards (6.7 avg.) and one touchdown. In 2024, Mang appeared in 12 games (two starts) and caught one pass for five yards. Prior to Syracuse, he played tight end and defensive end for the Berlin Rebels of the German Football League (GFL), the highest level of American football in Germany. Mang is a native of Bradenburg, Germany.
