The NFL mandates that rosters must be pared down to 75 players by Monday afternoon. The Indianapolis Colts took a big step in that direction Sunday night.

The team announced that it had waived 11 players -- six from the embattled defensive backfield -- bringing its current roster number to 80. The Colts cut cornerbacks Cameron Chism, Antonio Fenelus, Terrence Johnson and Chris Rucker; safeties Matt Merletti and David Caldwell; linebacker Mike Balogun; wide receiver Quan Cosby; running back Alvester Alexander; offensive guard Jason Foster; and punter Brian Stahovich.

Alexander and Balogun were signed by the Colts earlier this month, while Rucker was the only Indianapolis draft pick of the group let go. He was taken in the sixth round of the 2011 draft.

The other big front office move Sunday -- the acquisition of cornerback Vontae Davis from the Miami Dolphins -- served as a precursor to the evening's exodus. The defensive backfield, which seemed in constant flux throughout the preseason, now seems set with safeties Antoine Bethea and Tom Zbikowski along with Davis and fellow cornerback Jerraud Powers.

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Colts blogger Evan Hilbert, follow @CBSSportsNFLIND.