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Colts waived CB Mekhi Blackmon; he was claimed quickly
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- Colts waived CB Mekhi Blackmon; he was claimed quickly
INDIANAPOLIS — Former Colts cornerback Mekhi Blackmon did not have to wait long to find a new home in the NFL.
Blackmon was claimed off waivers by the Browns on Thursday, one day after Indianapolis decided to waive the veteran cornerback in the wake of two weeks of bad play in joint practices against the Patriots and Falcons.
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Cleveland decided to take a flyer on a veteran cornerback with plenty of NFL experience. Blackmon, a third-round pick of the Vikings in 2023, was traded to the Colts at the end of training camp last fall, and an ongoing rash of injuries at the position forced Blackmon into the lineup almost right away.
Indianapolis initially traded for Blackmon in search of a player who could match up against speedy deep threats outside, but an injury to Charvarius Ward and the ineffectiveness of Xavien Howard forced Blackmon into the lineup. Blackmon made 11 starts a year ago, played 783 snaps and made two interceptions.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) runs downfield after a catch Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) pulls in an over the shoulder catch Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts co-owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon watches red zone passing Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) delivers a pass Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) prepares for a drill Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) runs a route Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks coach Cam Turner talks with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts running back Anderson Castle (42) catches a pass Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts safety Juanyeh Thomas (33) runs through a drop back drill Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward (7) high points a ball during a drill Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen gives a five to wide receiver Coleman Owen (9) on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) defends fellow cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (26) during a drill Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) warms up Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) and tackle Blake Freeland (73) work during a drill Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Alec Pierce (14) and Ashton Dulin (16) interact Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) pulls in an over the shoulder catch Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen watches as the team stretches Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) warms up Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) warms up Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen watches a drill Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) pulls in an over the shoulder catch Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (12) runs downfield after a catch Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) pulls in a pass Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) talks with other receivers Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen high fives Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenneth Harris (29) high points a ball during a drill Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) secures a pass Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward (7) walks to a drill Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts co-owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon watches red zone passing Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) runs downfield after a catch Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) runs downfield after a catch Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) pulls in an over the shoulder catch Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts co-owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon watches red zone passing Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) delivers a pass Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) prepares for a drill Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) runs a route Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks coach Cam Turner talks with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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See who the Colts will cut in IndyStar's roster projection
Indianapolis Colts running back Anderson Castle (42) catches a pass Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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See who the Colts will cut in IndyStar's roster projection
Indianapolis Colts safety Juanyeh Thomas (33) runs through a drop back drill Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward (7) high points a ball during a drill Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen gives a five to wide receiver Coleman Owen (9) on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) defends fellow cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (26) during a drill Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) warms up Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Colts G Quenton Nelson trade: See his career over the years
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) and tackle Blake Freeland (73) work during a drill Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Alec Pierce (14) and Ashton Dulin (16) interact Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) pulls in an over the shoulder catch Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen watches as the team stretches Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) warms up Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) warms up Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen watches a drill Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) pulls in an over the shoulder catch Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Here's some of the 2026 NFL players with connections to the Hoosier state
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (12) runs downfield after a catch Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) pulls in a pass Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) talks with other receivers Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen high fives Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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See who the Colts will cut in IndyStar's roster projection
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenneth Harris (29) high points a ball during a drill Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) secures a pass Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward (7) walks to a drill Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Alec Pierce returns to Indianapolis Colts practice Thursday
Indianapolis Colts co-owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon watches red zone passing Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, during practice at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
Because of that history, Blackmon opened Colts training camp this year as a second-team cornerback, a spot that likely made him a lock for the roster, at least until Indianapolis shifted from Grand Park into the preseason portion of the schedule. Blackmon struggled in joint practices against New England and Atlanta , and he had even more trouble in preseason games, allowing seven catches and drawing four flags for pass interference in two weeks.
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With those struggles on tape, Indianapolis decided to waive Blackmon earlier this week, and Cleveland pounced, hoping Blackmon's issues in the preseason are a blip, rather than the new normal.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter .
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts waived CB Mekhi Blackmon; he was claimed quickly
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