Guard Will Fries and safety Rodney Thomas ranked in the top 25 of all NFL players from the 2023 season in performance based pay distributions.

Fries received $810,961, the 12-highest pay out, and Thomas received $769,445, the 18th-most.

In short, performance based pay distributions began with the 2002 Collective Bargaining Agreement and created a fund to pay additional dollars to players playing on a smaller deal but who also saw extensive playing time.

For the 2023 season, that pool of money totaled $393.8 million and is distributed equally among the 32 teams

The Indianapolis Colts travel to Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park to play the Buffalo Bills this Saturday for a Week 1 preseason game.

In this hypothetical scenario, the Colts Wire staff can “steal” one player that sheds light on depth needs or talent upgrades for the Colts.

This week’s selection: guard O’Cyrus Torrence.

One position with question marks is the right side of the offensive line. Based on the first unofficial depth chart released by the Colts this week, Will Fries is the presumed starter at right guard, with Wesley French and Emil Ekiyor behind him

...haven't seen the right side of this line pick up a stunt since '76 Will Fries looked solid at RG! pic.twitter.com/SMr4vRq7Zf

The Indianapolis Colts (9-7) defeated the Las Vegas Raiders (7-9) on Sunday, 23-20, at Lucas Oil Stadium.

In what was a physical battle all afternoon, the Colts took the lead on the opening drive of the game and didn’t look back. After taking a 14-3 lead into halftime, the Raiders made a little push during the second half to cut the lead to as few as three points late in the game.

But after some key stops in the fourth quarter and three field goals from Matt Gay in the second half, the Colts were able to survive this game, which was crucial for their playoff chances

It looked like it was going to be another week where things were going to go wrong for the Indianapolis Colts.

Following a shanked missed 56-yard field goal attempt by Matt Gay, the Pittsburgh Steelers marched down the field for a touchdown, but missed the PAT attempt to make it a 6-0 game. On the following drive for the Colts, they would go three-and-out, and the Steelers blocked the punt to set up their second touchdown of the game for the 13-0 lead early in the second quarter.

Then the game got flipped upside down. Indy would score a touchdown to respond to Pittsburgh and would go on to score 30 unanswered points despite losing Michael Pittman Jr. and Zack Moss in the second quarter

It’s been rough recently for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but there have still been some notable performers on the team during its first stretch of the season.

Pro Football Focus released its list of Midseason All-Pros, and there were two Bucs players named. Kicker Chase McLaughlin was named a First Team All-Pro kicker by PFF, coming in ahead of former Tampa Bay kicker Matt Gay, while Antoine Winfield Jr. was named a Second Team All-Pro, coming in behind Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland.

McLaughlin has been stellar for Tampa Bay in 2023, making 88.2% of his field goals and hitting 100% of his extra-point attempts. He’s hit four of his five kicks from 50 yards out or more, boasts an average of 41 yards per kick and has scored 58 points for the Bucs so far this season to serve as their leading scorer so far this year

Despite using five different starting quarterbacks and signing a 38-year-old Joe Flacco off the couch in November, the Browns still went 11-6 to reach the playoffs last season, where Cleveland's league-best defense gave up 45 points in a blowout lost against the Texans in the Wild Card.

In the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, the quarterback position should, at the very least, be on Chris Ballard’s and the Colts’ radars.

Of course, with Anthony Richardson, the Colts have their starter for the foreseeable future. However, what they could use is a developmental prospect who could potentially become the backup option in 2025.

For this season, the Colts are all set when it comes to that backup quarterback role having signed Joe Flacco earlier this offseason. But at nearly 40 years old, Flacco is likely just a one-year placeholder at the position

Joe Flacco "grateful" to have spot with Colts, but a "little bit" surprised he's not back with Browns nfl.com/news/joe-flacc…

On Friday afternoon, less than one week before the 2024 NFL Draft, Colts’ GM Chris Ballard met with reporters for about 20 minutes to discuss a variety of topics.

Here are the highlights from it and what you need to know:

– With a young quarterback, or any quarterback, you’ve got to be able to protect him. Ballard thinks the offensive line did well with that last year and will continue to. You’ve also got to be able to continue to add playmakers around him as well. Notes the importance of re-signing Michael Pittman, Jonathan Taylor being healthy, along with Alec Pierce and Josh Downs taking steps forward

In a seven-round mock draft from Josh Edwards of CBS Sports, he has the Colts’ putting a major emphasis on the offensive side of the ball.

With Anthony Richardson, Michael Pittman Jr., Jonathan Taylor, and a very good offensive line, the Colts already have a strong foundation on offense in place. However, as GM Chris Ballard made quite clear at his season-ending press conference, more playmaking is needed, specifically through the air. Last season, the Colts’ 45 passing plays of 20-plus yards ranked 24th

The Colts have the ingredients for what can be a really high-powered offense in 2024.

Anthony Richardson will be back under center. His presence, along with Jonathan Taylor and Shane Steichen’s play-calling, will really allow this Colts’ offense to marry the run game with the passing game–keeping defenses off-balanced and guessing.

GM Chris Ballard has also built a stout offensive line up front, and that is where success for any offense begins, while there is a strong foundation at receiver with Michael Pittman and Josh Down

The crucial play in the Colts' season-ending loss to the Texans on Saturday night was Tyler Goodson's dropped pass on fourth-and-1 with 1:06 left in the fourth quarter, and afterward a teary Goodson put it on himself.

Colts running back Tyler Goodson lamented the greatest opportunity -- and failure -- of his young career but said his fourth-down drop in Saturday's loss to the Texans would not define his career.

The Indianapolis Colts (9-8) fought until the end but ultimately fell 23-19 against the Houston Texans (10-7) on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium.

This was easily the most physical game the Colts have played this season, and there will be a lot of hindsight analysis, especially with the fourth-down play late in the fourth quarter that resulted in a Tyler Goodson drop to turn the ball over on downs.

There were plenty of chances for the Colts to have won this game, but there were equal amounts of opportunities that Indy failed to take advantage of in the loss

The Houston Texans continue to fine-tune their offseason roster.

The Texans announced Wednesday they have signed undrafted free agent tight end Jordan Murray.

The former Hawaii product caught 10 passes for 70 yards through 13 games in his final year in college football. The 6-5, 240-pounder originally played four seasons at Missouri State where he had 99 catches for 1,196 yards and 11 touchdowns in his career.

Houston also waived punter Joe Doyle. The Texans signed Doyle as an undrafted free agent. The 6-0, 200-pounder was a redshirt senior who spent 2021-22 with Memphis, and had an NIL deal with Opendorse. From 2017-20, Doyle was a punter at Tennessee in the SEC East

We have signed undrafted free agent Jordan Murray and made another roster move.

Colts have waived Jordan Murray, per source. The offensive tackle is likely going to the practice squad.

Mo Alie-Cox says Anthony Richardson's pass looks effortless. Has seen improvement in the rookie QB even from Monday to today. "You can see he has all the tools." #Colts

Good point. Talked about this with Mo Alie-Cox this week ... said Colts ran WAY less 12 personnel (2 TEs) as a result. 56 less plays over the course of the season. Doyle was huge in pass pro + run game. twitter.com/ShaadMcGinnis/…

Asked Mo Alie-Cox what needs to change with this franchise: "Stability at the most important position ... I been here six years. I've been through what, 8, 9 quarterbacks? Next year I'll probably be playing with a rookie? It makes your job harder."

Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods lost the entire 2023 season dealing with nagging hamstring injuries, but he appears to be on track to making an impact in 2024.

His absence was nothing short of disappointing considering the explosiveness he brings to the offense. Not being able to see what he looked like in Shane Steichen’s offense was a major letdown.

But a workout video he posted Wednesday should give Colts fans a little hope that we’ll see him on the field in 2024.

I think it’s safe to say #Colts TE Jelani Woods, who missed the entire 2023 season due to hamstring issues, is healthy again. He shared this workout video via IG today

Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods suffered a setback during recovery from a hamstring injury, and it’s unclear how long he will continue to miss time.

Head coach Shane Steichen told reporters Monday that Woods’ setback happened to his other hamstring during the recovery process of the hamstring injury that has forced him to miss the first 10 games of the season.

“Jelani actually, he had a setback with his other hamstring during the rehab. That’s where that’s at right now,” Steichen said Monday

Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods has yet to make his season debut and the thought of whether it will happen is beginning to come into doubt.

Woods has been on the injured reserve list all season due to a hamstring injury he suffered during the first week of training camp. He missed the entire preseason and has been on the reserve list since the start of the 2023 campaign.

When asked whether he thinks Woods will be ready at all this season, head coach Shane Steichen stuck to his typical non-answer

Before Kylen Granson laces them up Saturday, there will be player prop bet markets available for the 8:15 PM ET kickoff, live on ABC/ESPN. AFC South rivals square off in Week 18 when Granson and the Indianapolis Colts (9-7) meet the Houston Texans (9-7) at Lucas Oil Stadium.

National Football League odds courtesy of BetMGM. Odds updated Wednesday at 10:07 AM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Bet on Kylen Granson and other players at BetMGM

Ahead of Saturday’s 4:30 PM ET game airing live on NFL Network, sportsbooks have installed player prop bet markets for Kylen Granson. Granson and the Indianapolis Colts (7-6) hit the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) in Week 15 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

National Football League odds courtesy of BetMGM. Odds updated Wednesday at 10:07 AM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Bet on Kylen Granson and other players at BetMGM

Before Kylen Granson takes the field Sunday, there will be player prop bets available for the 1:00 PM ET kickoff, live on CBS. Granson and the Indianapolis Colts (5-5) take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) in Week 12 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

National Football League odds courtesy of BetMGM. Odds updated Saturday at 10:07 AM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Bet on Kylen Granson and other players at BetMGM

The Indianapolis Colts signed wide receiver Terrell Bynum to a Reserve/Future contract, the team announced Wednesday.

Bynum entered the league as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2023 NFL draft, signing with the Los Angeles Chargers. He spent the majority of the season on the practice squad but was elevated for one regular season game.

Bynum went to USC during his final collegiate season, appearing in 10 games while recording 16 receptions for 159 yards and one touchdown. Before that, he spent five seasons at Washington, appearing in 34 games (19 starts) while recording 65 receptions for 934 yards and six touchdowns

Former @uscfb WR Terrell Bynum is signing with the #Chargers, source tells @theScore. Bynum was also a star at nearby @boscofootball.

Eagles cornerback Zech McPhearson and wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland were both injured in Thursday night's game against the Browns and they're both off of the team's 90-man roster on Saturday.

Eagles wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland suffered a concussion and sprained neck and rookie defensive tackle Moro Ojomo suffered a concussion during a preseason game on Thursday night, and both players were carted off the field on a backboard.

Eagles wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland and defensive tackle Moro Ojomo were both put on stretchers before being carted off the field during Thursday night's game against the Browns and the team offered updates on both players on Friday afternoon.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin won’t be on the field to help his team throughout the 2023 season after he suffered a torn ACL, but now he’s on the road to recovery.

Dulin, who suffered a torn ACL during the joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, gave an update Friday telling fans his surgery “went great” and that he’s on the road to recovery.

Thank you too everyone who reached out, very much appreciate all the love and prayers sent my way .Surgery yesterday went great; on the road to recovery can’t wait to be back out there!!! #BlessedAndGratefu

The Indianapolis Colts are waiving wide receiver Mike Strachan ahead of Tuesday’s deadline for roster cuts, first reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Though Strachan had a solid showing at training camp, and the season-ending injury to Ashton Dulin opened up a roster spot, the third-year wideout appeared in just one preseason game. He recorded one reception for 18 yards but was held out of the final two games due to a groin injury.

The #Colts are waiving WR Michael Strachan, per source

After reports emerged that Colts receiver Ashton Dulin suffered a torn ACL, Indianapolis has made a roster move that will officially end his season.

The Indianapolis Colts signed wide receiver Juwann Winfree to the active roster from the practice squad, the team announced Tuesday.

Winfree will be taking the spot of tight end Andrew Ogletree, who was placed on the Commissioner Exempt List last weekend following an arrest for domestic battery.

While Ogletree is essentially on paid leave, Winfree will be taking his spot as the No. 5 wide receiver.

Winfree had a solid preseason, but has played only 21 snaps on offense this season. He’s spent much of the campaign on the practice squad and has had a role on special teams when he’s active on gamedays

The Indianapolis Colts held a workout for two wide receivers and a veteran defensive tackle, according to the league’s transaction wire Tuesday.

Among the players who worked out for the Colts included wide receivers Marquez Callaway and Bryan Edwards along with defensive tackle Marlon Davidson.

Considering the shoulder injury Alec Pierce is dealing with, it makes sense the Colts are seeing what is available on the market. They also signed Juwann Winfree to the active roster Tuesday so they may be preparing for Pierce to miss some time

Wide receiver Juwann Winfree was added to the Colts active roster on Tuesday.

Back in concussion protocol

Colts’ WR Michael Pittman Jr. (concussion/shoulder) has been downgraded to out for Sunday’s game vs. the Falcons. Michael Pittman cleared protocol Friday, traveled with the team today but picked up symptoms that led him being placed back into concussion protocol. He is now out. (Adam Schefter on X)

FF Today's Take: Not great Bob. Pittman being back in concussion protocol is a gut punch during fantasy football playoff time. The Colts will be very thin at receiver with Josh Downs, Alec Pierce and D.J. Montgomery working as the top three options. The Colts use multiple tight ends making all of them irrelevant for fantasy purposes.

The Indianapolis Colts (7-6) are looking to get back into the win column as they are set to host the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) at Lucas Oil Stadium for a crucial Saturday matchup in Week 15.

As it pertains to the roster, the Colts promoted wide receiver D.J. Montgomery to the active roster and waived guard Arlington Hambright, who was then signed to the practice squad.

The Colts also elevated a running back and wide receiver from the practice squad for the game.

Here’s a look at the Colts’ gameday roster in Week 15, sorted by jersey number

The Indianapolis Colts elevated wide receiver Ethan Fernea from the practice squad to the active roster for the Week 15 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team announced Friday.

After promoting wide receiver D.J. Montgomery to the active roster, the Colts will now have six wideouts on the gameday roster Saturday when they host the Steelers.

Fernea has been with the Colts since initially signing as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2022 NFL draft. He was placed on the Reserve/Injured list in August and then was waived with an injury settlement a few days later