INDIANAPOLIS — Back in 1999, the Indianapolis Colts decided to keep two undrafted rookies, defensive end Chukie Nwokorie and wide receiver Terrence Wilkins, on their 53-man roster to start the regular season.
At the time, the team was unknowingly starting an annual trend that has entered two decades in length.
Every year since, the Colts would open up their season with at least one undrafted rookie on their 53-man roster. And on Saturday, that streak reached 20 years, as the team included linebacker Skai Moore and safety George Odum on its initial 53-man roster to begin the 2018 regular season.
» Moore comes from South Carolina, where he was a stat-stuffing machine in 50 career games, with 37 starts, from 2013-17. He compiled 353 tackles (213 solo), 20.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 20 passes defensed, a school record 14 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries during his time with the Gamecocks.
Moore stepped up into a starter's role for the Colts' defense at MIKE linebacker early in training camp after Anthony Walker went down with a groin injury, and finished tied for second on the team with 14 total tackles this preseason, one of which was for a loss. Moore also added a pass defensed.
» Odum had a standout college career at Central Arkansas, where he played in 48 games with 39 starts from 2013-17. The 2017 Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year totaled 350 career tackles (223 solo), 29.0 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 13 passes defensed, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three blocked kicks; he also registered three career punt returns for 69 yards and one touchdown.
Odum also had a strong preseason for the Colts as a reserve safety, finishing fifth on the team with 13 total tackles, while also adding one forced fumble, one pass defensed and a game-sealing interception in the third preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers. He also contributed one tackle on special teams.
———————
Since 1999, the Colts have had a total of 55 undrafted rookies make their Week 1 roster, an average of almost three per season:
» 1999: Chukie Nwokorie, DE; Terrence Wilkins, WR
» 2000: Ben Gilbert, G; Kevin McDougal, Brandon Miller, DT; RB; Justin Snow, LS/TE; Payton Williams, CB
» 2001: Jermaine Hampton, DB; Wes Ours, RB; Dominic Rhodes, RB
» 2002: Raheem Brock, DE; Justin Seaverms, LB; Ricky Williams, RB
» 2003: Gary Brackett, LB; Anthony Floyd, DB; Aaron Moorehead, WR; Brad Pyatt, WR
» 2004: Josh Thomas, DE
» 2005: Darrell Reid, DT; Matt Ulrich, G
» 2006: De De Dorsey, RB; Ryan LaCasse, DE
» 2007: Melvin Bullitt, S; Ramon Guzman, LB; Ed Johnson, DT
» 2008: Eric Foster, DT; Curtis Johnson, DE; Jordan Senn, LB
» 2009: Cody Glenn, LB; Ramon Humber, LB; Jacob Lacey, DB
» 2010: Brandon King, DB; Jeff Linkenbach, T
» 2011: Darren Evans, RB; Joe Lefeged, DB; Mike McNeill, TE; Adrian Moten, LB
» 2012: Dominique Jones, TE
» 2013: Jack Doyle, TE
» 2014: Jonotthan Harrison, C; Henoc Muamba, LB; Loucheiz Purifoy, CB; Zurlon Tipton, RB
» 2015: T.Y. McGill, DT; Tyler Varga, RB
» 2016: Matthias Farley, S; Josh Ferguson, RB; Curt Maggitt, LB; Chester Rogers, WR
» 2017: Deyshawn Bond, C; Darrell Daniels, TE; Kenny Moore II, CB; Rigoberto Sanchez, P
» 2018: Skai Moore, LB; George Odum, S
Here's a look at the initial 53-man roster for the Indianapolis Colts following today's roster cuts.