Lewis Cine May Be Back in the Mix
Former Minnesota Vikings safety Lewis Cine, the team’s 1st-Rounder from 2022 and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s first-ever draft pick, may have a revised NFL address soon: the Indianapolis Colts.
Lewis Cine, a former Minnesota Vikings safety, could try a new NFL team on for size as early as this week after an audition in the AFC South.
Evidently looking to tweak their roster after an unexpected 4-1 start, the Colts gave Cine a look this week, and if he plays his cards right, he could join Shane Steichen’s team by the end of the week.
Lewis Cine Tries Out for Colts Roster
Fourth time’s a charm for Cine?
Colts Work Out Lewis Cine
Cine nabbed another NFL tryout this week, this time in Indianapolis.
ColtsWire‘s Paul Bretl wrote, “The Indianapolis Colts worked out a few defensive backs on Monday, including a former first-round draft pick. According to Aaron Wilson, the Colts had in safety Lewis Cine for a workout. Cine was a first-round draft pick out of Georgia by the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.”
A deal didn’t come to fruition on Monday, but sometimes the process takes a couple of days. With any luck, Cine could be added to Indianapolis’ practice squad by week’s end.
Cine’s NFL Resume So Far
Every draft head had Cine as a 1st- or 2nd-Rounder leading into the 2022 NFL Draft, and every draft head got it wrong. Minnesota took the plunge with Cine, an experiment that emphatically flopped and wasn’t helped by a broken leg early in his rookie campaign.
When Minnesota drafted Cine, it evidently banked on Harrison Smith retiring at some point, but that has not been the case over the last three years, and in fact, the Vikings’ safety depth has remained consistent. Cine basically wasn’t needed in the defensive secondary, and when he healed from the broken leg, he didn’t have the chops to maintain a roster spot over Smith, Camryn Bynum, Josh Metellus, and Jay Ward.
These days, Theo Jackson starts in the spot Cine might have earned.
Here’s Cine’s resume through four seasons:
- Minnesota Vikings (2022–2023)
- Buffalo Bills (2024)
- Philadelphia Eagles (2024–2025)
Though he didn’t play, it’s worth noting that Cine earned a Super Bowl ring with the Eagles in 2024.
Colts as the AFC Vikings per Roster Setup
Looking for a satellite team? Indianapolis has you covered.
Even without Cine yet on the roster or practice squad, the Colts employ oodles of former Minnesota personnel, on both offense and defense. Here’s the full list:
- Daniel Jones | QB
- Camryn Bynum | S
- Mekhi Blackmon | CB
- Laquon Treadwell | WR, Practice Squad
- Ameer Abdullah | RB, Practice Squad
- Marcellus Johnson | OT, Practice Squad
- Keenan Garber | CB, Practice Squad
Indianapolis also employs Tony Sparano Jr. as its offensive line coach, the son of former Vikings skipper Tony Sparano, who coached the same position in Minnesota before his unfortunate passing in 2018.
Colts Defense thru 5 Weeks
At 4-1, Indianapolis is straight rolling — in unforeseen fashion.
The Colts’ defense ranks fourth in the NFL per EPA/Play, fifth leaguewide per DVOA, and third in points allowed. Not many forecasted Indianapolis as a defensive powerhouse in 2025 — or a powerhouse of any kind — but against all odds, Shane Steichen’s team is thriving.
Adding Cine would be about heading the depth behind Camryn Bynum, Nick Cross, Trey Washington, and Rodney Thomas II, and truth be told, it’s not a bad idea. Cine showed brief flashes of prominence here and there in Minnesota, particularly in the preseason.
More Cine Takes
Section215.com‘s Cem Yolbulan noted on Cine’s audition in Indianapolis, “Former Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen has done an impressive job in Indianapolis as the head coach, leading the Colts to a 4-1 record and sitting at the top of the AFC South.”
“The offense with Daniel Jones under center has understandably received most of the attention, but the defense has also been punching above its weight. They have allowed the third-fewest points of any team in the NFL through five weeks. The Colts currently have Nick Cross and Cam Bynum starting at safety, with Trey Washington and Rodney Thomas serving as backups.”
A would-be deal for Cine would also be incredibly affordable, as he hopes to reestablish himself in the big leagues.
“If Cine were to be brought on, he would likely be signed to the practice squad before getting a chance on the active roster. Fuller, as a veteran cornerback with extensive experience, has a better chance of getting signed due to injuries in the cornerback rotation in Indianapolis,” Yolbulan added.
“Now that the former Eagle is healthy, he will continue to have visits and workouts with teams in desperate need of safety depth. As injuries begin to pile up during the grueling NFL season, Cine will get opportunities. Four years into his career, Cine is still trying to establish himself. Whether he can do it remains to be seen.’
Cine turned 26 last weekend.
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