Colts add WR D.J. Montgomery, waive WR Liam Clifford in Sunday roster move

The Indianapolis Colts made a roster move on Sunday, signing free agent wide receiver D.J. Montgomery and waiving wide receiver Liam Clifford, according to the team. The transaction reflects the early churn most NFL rosters experience as teams balance veterans, developmental players, and offseason additions at the position.

For the Colts, the signing of Montgomery adds another option for the receiver group during a stretch when teams are still settling their internal pecking order. In the NFL, late-summer roster construction is often about creating competition for spots on the 53-man roster and, just as importantly, for roles on special teams and situational offense.

Clifford, meanwhile, was waived. Waiver moves can mean a few different things depending on timing and roster status, including the possibility of another opportunity elsewhere. In the short term, the Colts’ action also indicates that Clifford will no longer be counted on in Indianapolis’ current plans unless he is claimed or re-signed through a later path.

Montgomery’s arrival gives Indianapolis another player in the wide receiver room to learn the playbook and compete for opportunities. Even when a receiver does not immediately become a primary target, teams often value the position’s depth for practice tempo, injury contingencies, and match-up work during training-camp preparation.

This kind of move is also a reminder that NFL roster decisions are rarely about a single performance. Instead, they reflect how players fit into the team’s broader offensive identity, their ability to run routes at speed and with consistency, and their readiness for the physical and mental demands of the regular season.

What to watch next is whether either player lands elsewhere quickly. If Montgomery stays in Indianapolis, his next checkpoint will be how he performs in team activities and practices leading into final roster decisions. If Clifford clears waivers, the Colts could also decide whether to revisit him later, though the team has not indicated any further plan beyond the waiver.

As the Colts continue trimming and shaping their roster, these wide receiver transactions provide a clear window into how the team prioritizes depth, competition, and special-teams potential heading toward the start of the season.