Colts cuts include Chapman, Carter; Ballard stays

The Colts pulled a couple of surprises today in making their final roster cuts, letting go of one defensive starter and releasing a young receiver with considerable upside.

Nose tackle Josh Chapman was released in the cuts, leaving the Colts with a particularly thin defensive line (Art Jones is heading to injured reserve with an ankle injury and will miss the season). Montori Hughes, a key backup to Jones, was also among the cuts.

Also, rookie receiver Duron Carter, son of Hall-of-Fame receiver Cris Carter, was let go. He'll now be subject to the waiver wire, something that could prevent the Colts from retaining him on their practice squad. The team would like to keep Carter and develop him, a source said.

Elsewhere, the running back unit did, in fact, provide the intrigue we expected. Veteran Vick Ballard, who has overcome two season-ending injuries the past two years and couldn't shake a pair of sore hamstrings during the preseason, made the final roster. So, too, did rookie Tyler Varga, who presumably is the fifth running back behind Frank Gore, Boom Herron, rookie Josh Robinson and Ballard (in some order).

UPDATE, 4:22 p.m.: The Colts' cuts are in.

They are guard David Arkin, receiver Vincent Brown; linebacker Daniel Adongo, quarterback Bryan Bennett, receiver Quan Bray, receiver Duron Carter, cornerback Chance Casey, nose tackle Josh Chapman, linebacker Carlos Fields, defensive tackle Montori Hughes, tackle Ulrick John, linebacker Cam Johnson, safety Dewey McDonald, tight end Sean McGrath, inside linebacker Henoc Muamba, guard Kitt O’Brien, cornerback Eric Patterson, defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles, tight end Erik Swoope, cornerback Raymon Taylor and running back Zurlon Tipton.

UPDATE, 3:34 p.m.: Among the Colts' remaining cuts is linebacker Daniel Adongo, according to an NFL source. Adongo, who made his strongest push yet to make the final roster since his conversion from rugby in 2013, is a candidate for the practice squad again, the source said.

Also, ESPN's Josina Anderson reports defensive tackle Montori Hughes has been released, a curious move given the injury to starter Art Jones. Depth was an issue for the Colts on the interior defensive line, but this bodes well for young players like David Parry, Henry Anderson and Zach Kerr.

Earlier: The Colts must reduce their roster to 53 players from their current 75 by 4 p.m. today, and numerous decisions remain as the deadline approaches.

The Colts are working through a number of key injuries, from the serious ankle injury suffered by defensive tackle Art Jones in last week's preseason game (he reportedly will be placed on injured reserve) to the shoulder injury suffered by backup running back Boom Herron Thursday night.

Also a factor in today's cuts: Friday night's trade for Raiders linebacker Sio Moore, a former third-round pick of Oakland who was sent to Indianapolis for a sixth-round pick. Moore was a starter in Oakland the past two seasons before falling out of favor with the new coaching staff, which sent him packing. Moore's addition will impact how the Colts structure their roster because it likely will squeeze out one of their current defensive players.

The moves are already underway. The Colts have informed rookie linebacker Junior Sylvestre that he'll be placed on injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury Thursday night, according to an NFL source. An undrafted free agent from Toledo, Sylvestre emerged in the preseason, leading the Colts in tackles.

Keeping him on injured reserve will allow the Colts to keep Sylvestre's rights in 2016.

Also today, defensive lineman Kelcy Quarles posted a tweet indicating he has been released. Quarles was considered a long shot to make the roster.

Other moves are pending, and the Colts might also be in the market to acquire players from other team's rosters.

This story will be updated.