The Indianapolis Colts are releasing veteran defensive tackle Colby Wooden during final cutdowns, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Green Bay Packers traded Wooden to the Colts in exchange for veteran linebacker Zaire Franklin in March.
Wooden played 72 snaps over three preseason games with the Colts.
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A fourth-round pick of the Packers in the 2023 draft, Wooden transitioned to defensive tackle before the 2025 season and ended up being a 16-game starter for Jeff Hafley defense. He produced 50 tackles, three quarterback hits, six tackles for loss and one pass defensed over 17 games and a career-high 587 snaps on defense for the Packers.
In a rare player-for-player swap, the Packers sent Wooden to the Colts to acquire Franklin, who will now start at Mike linebacker in Green Bay this season after the Packers lost Quay Walker in free agency. In terms of who won the trade, it’s increasingly clear the Packers got the better end of the deal.
Wooden was entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2026. A reunion in Green Bay is unlikely, given the depth developed at defensive tackle this offseason and summer.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Colts releasing veteran DT acquired from Packers in Zaire Franklin trade
