The Indianapolis Colts announced on Monday that they waived offensive lineman Atonio Mafi from the 53-man roster.
Mafi was signed from the practice squad to the Colts’ active roster prior to the team’s Week 13 matchup against New England. In the two games prior to that, Mafi was a practice squad elevation for the Colts’ matchups with the New York Jets and Lions.
During that time, the Colts’ interior offensive line depth was quite thin, with Ryan Kelly on injured reserve and Tanor Bortolini in concussion protocol during the New England game.
From Weeks 11-13, Mafi played a total of nine special teams snaps but did not make an appearance on offense. Over the last two games against Denver and Tennessee, Mafi has been inactve.
After roster cutdowns in late August, the Colts signed Mafi to the practice squad after he had been released by New England.
A former fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft out of UCLA by New England, Mafi had a fairly big role during his rookie season with the Patriots, playing 458 regular season snaps over 12 games, mostly at left guard.
Presumably with a roster spot now open, the Colts are going to fill that void by signing Mark Glowinski from the practice squad to the 53-man. The Tennessee game on Sunday was the third time that Glowinski had been a practice squad elevation, which is the maximum amount a practice squad player can be made available on gamedays.
So with Glowinski having started at right guard the last three games, if they want him to continue filling that role in Weeks 17 and 18, he will need to be added to the 53-man roster.
I would guess that if Mafi clears waivers, the Colts will attempt to sign him back to the practice squad, where they now have an opening after placing cornerback Tre Flowers on the injured list.
