Colts Add Super Bowl-winning Receiver Mecole Hardman to Practice Squad

WHO:

colts.com - The Indianapolis Colts signed wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. and punter Thomas Morstead to their practice squad, and released wide receiver Eli Pancol from the practice squad.

Heavy NFL - Mecole Hardman is a former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver and is described as a three-time Super Bowl champion.

Heavy NFL - ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported Hardman’s signing.

colts.com - Hardman is 5-foot-10 and 187 pounds; his first name is pronounced “MUH-cole.”

colts.com - Morstead is 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds. Pancol is 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds.

WHAT:

colts.com - Hardman has played 82 career games, including 28 starts, with the Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets. He has 178 receptions for 2,302 yards (12.9 average) and 16 touchdowns; 26 carries for 190 yards (7.3 average) and three touchdowns; 46 kickoff returns for 1,134 yards (24.7 average) and one touchdown; and 91 punt returns for 823 yards (9.0 average) and one touchdown.

colts.com - In 15 postseason games, including four starts, Hardman recorded 28 receptions for 292 yards (10.4 average) and four touchdowns, 13 carries for 105 yards (8.1 average) and one touchdown, 15 kickoff returns for 334 yards (22.3 average), and seven punt returns for 86 yards (12.3 average).

colts.com - Hardman won Super Bowls LIV and LVIII with Kansas City. He caught the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LVIII, according to Heavy NFL.

colts.com - The Chiefs selected Hardman in the second round, 56th overall, of the 2019 NFL Draft, out of Georgia. As a rookie, he was an Associated Press Second Team All-Pro kick returner and a Pro Bowl return specialist.

colts.com - Morstead has played 272 career games and recorded 1,004 punts for 46,863 yards (46.7 average; 41.3 net average), with 374 inside the 20-yard line, and 263 kickoff touchbacks.

colts.com - In 18 postseason games, Morstead recorded 64 punts for 2,821 yards (44.1 average; 40.8 net average), with 22 inside the 20-yard line, and 16 kickoff touchbacks. He won Super Bowl XLIV with New Orleans.

colts.com - The Saints selected Morstead in the fifth round, 164th overall, of the 2009 NFL Draft, out of SMU. In 2012, he was an Associated Press Second Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection.

colts.com - Pancol participated in the Colts’ 2026 offseason program and training camp. He previously spent time with Jacksonville during its 2025 offseason program and training camp.

WHERE:

colts.com - The signings and release concern the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad.

WHY:

Heavy NFL - The Colts’ addition was described as helping the team’s wide-receiver depth; the article said Indianapolis was seeking help at the position.

HOW:

Heavy NFL - Hardman joined Indianapolis’s practice squad, according to Adam Schefter’s report and the Colts’ announcement.

colts.com - Pancol was signed to the Colts’ practice squad twice and entered the team’s 2026 offseason program and training camp.

The Indianapolis Colts have signed wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. and punter Thomas Morstead to their practice squad, while releasing wide receiver Eli Pancol. Hardman, a three-time Super Bowl champion who caught the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LVIII, has played for four NFL teams and adds depth at receiver. Morstead brings 272 games of experience and a Super Bowl title with New Orleans.