Colts Elevate Josh McNary to 53-Man Roster; Waive Vick Ballard

The Indianapolis Colts today elevated inside linebacker Josh McNary to the 53-man roster from the practice squad and waived/injured running back Vick Ballard. If Ballard clears waivers, he will revert to the Colts Injured Reserve list.

The team also signed running back Zurlon Tipton and guard Robert Myers to the practice squad and released defensive tackle Jeris Pendleton from the practice squad.

McNary, 6-0, 251 pounds, spent each of the last two seasons with the Colts after originally signing with the team as a free agent on April 11, 2013. He has played in 20 games (four starts) and registered 54 tackles (33 solo), 0.5 sacks and 13 special teams tackles with Indianapolis. McNary has seen action in four postseason contests and tallied six tackles (three solo) and seven special teams tackles.

Ballard, 5-10, 224 pounds, was originally drafted by the Colts in the fifth round (170th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. He appeared in 17 games (13 starts) for Indianapolis and rushed for 877 yards on 224 carries (3.9 avg.) and two touchdowns, while contributing with 18 receptions for 147 yards and one touchdown. Ballard started one postseason contest for the Colts in 2012 and tallied 91 yards on 22 carries (4.1 avg.). He spent most of the 2013 season and the entire 2014 season on the Colts Injured Reserve list.

Tipton, 6-0, 230 pounds, played in six games for the Colts in 2014 and finished his rookie year with 10 carries for 18 yards and six receptions for 68 yards and one touchdown. He saw action in all three postseason contests and registered 18 carries for 68 yards and one touchdown. Tipton also caught three passes for 22 yards in the playoffs.

Myers, 6-5, 335 pounds, was claimed by the Colts off waivers on September 6, 2015 and was waived on September 11. He was originally selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round (176th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft and was waived by the team on September 5. He appeared in 46 games (35 starts) at Tennessee State, starting his final 29 consecutive games for the Tigers.

Pendleton, 6-2, 323 pounds, spent the last two seasons with the Colts. He was on the team’s Injured Reserve list for the 2014 season. In 2013, Pendleton spent time on the Colts practice squad and active roster. He made four tackles (two solo) in one regular season game appearance and saw action in both postseason contests, finishing with four tackles and one special teams stop.