Colts draft OT Jake Witt - Round 7, Pick 236

[ChaosTheory]

Originally Posted by AlwaysSunnyinIndy

Not trying to minimize this injury, but it is a convenient way for the Colts to shelter him / keep him for the year.

It was extremely likely that Witt was destined for the practice squad - and any team could have poached him during the season.

Hopefully he can recover from the injury and then work on strength and conditioning to get ready for next year.

Fair point. Although... didn't they change it so that a few practice squad guys could be locked up so another team can't sign them?

I meant to mention that both OT's are going to need time, so the team wouldn't necessarily feel it this year anyway. He can still work on the mental part at least, but nothing substitutes being out on the field. Always feel bad for the young guys that go out like that.

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Originally Posted by ChaosTheory

Although... didn't they change it so that a few practice squad guys could be locked up so another team can't sign them?

Teams can protect up to 4 practice squad players each week....but it really only provides protection on a per game basis.

The protection starts each week on Tuesday but then concludes at the end of that week's game.

So there is a window of time with no protection and when all practice squad players can be poached - from the end of that week's game to Tuesday.