The Indianapolis Colts released veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt from their practice squad on Thursday, the team announced.
The move came alongside the signing of offensive tackle Charlie Heck to the 53-man roster and guard Joshua Gray to the practice squad.
Pratt, 30, had rejoined the Colts on October 13 after spending most of the offseason unsigned. The team elevated him for last weekend’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, where he played 20 defensive snaps.
The Colts cited improving health at the linebacker position as the reason for his release.
This marked Pratt’s second stint in Indianapolis. After the Las Vegas Raiders released him early in the 2025 season, he signed with the Colts in October and started all 12 of his appearances.
He recorded 101 tackles (57 solo), five tackles for loss, eight passes defensed, one interception, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
The experienced WILL linebacker brought familiarity with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s scheme from their years together in Cincinnati.
Drafted by the Bengals in the third round (72nd overall) out of NC State in 2019, Pratt started 104 of 112 career games across stops with Cincinnati (2019-24), Las Vegas (2025), and Indianapolis.
He has totaled roughly 734 tackles, 38 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 33 passes defensed, and eight interceptions. One of his signature moments came in the 2021 playoffs, when he intercepted Derek Carr to seal Cincinnati’s first playoff win in 31 years.
The Colts had turned to Pratt earlier this month amid early-season struggles and injuries at linebacker.
Head coach Shane Steichen praised the veteran’s experience and leadership potential upon his signing, noting the value of adding a proven player to a room with younger options.
Pratt himself expressed a desire to provide stability, tackle soundly, and create turnovers in a system he knows well.
Thursday’s transactions primarily addressed offensive line depth, with Heck—a 2020 fourth-round pick by the Houston Texans who has appeared in 67 career games—joining the active roster. Gray, an undrafted free agent from 2025, filled the open practice squad spot.
Pratt’s brief 2026 return ends with him once again a free agent.
At 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, the durable veteran remains a potential option for teams seeking experienced linebacker depth late in the season.
