Report: Colts Sign Former Browns Backup QB

The Indianapolis Colts have signed QB Kellen Mond, who was a backup for the Cleveland Browns in 2022.

Both the Browns and Colts are entering Week 5 with injury adversity in their QB room — and the latter team is reportedly plucking a former Browns backup arm to shore their depth.

The Colts are signing QB Kellen Mond to their practice squad, according to a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He’s expected to provide depth for the Colts after their first-round rookie, Anthony Richardson, suffered a shoulder injury in Week 5 and could miss multiple weeks.

The #Colts are signing QB Kellen Mond to the practice squad, pending physical, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo.

With Anthony Richardson (shoulder) out indefinitely, Indianapolis worked out several QBs today and chose Mond, a third-round pick by Minnesota in 2021. pic.twitter.com/oZecwzBnMx

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 10, 2023

Mond was with the Browns for all of 2022 as a third-stringer behind Deshaun Watson and Joshua Dobbs, but never played in a game. He was with the Browns through training camp before this season, but was released during final cuts.

The Browns eventually signed P.J. Walker to their practice squad instead, and Walker could be a notable player for Week 6 as the Browns determine backup options in case Watson, who is dealing with a shoulder injury suffered in Week 3, is unable to play against the 49ers.

Walker and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson would be the Browns’ options if Watson is unable to play, and Thompson-Robinson struggled mightily when he started in relief of Watson in a Week 4 loss to the Ravens.

Aug 17, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Kellen Mond (7) in action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field / © Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Mond was a 2021 third-round pick for the Vikings and hasn’t played in a regular season game since 2021. He’d likely be the third-string option for the Colts behind Gardner Minshew and Sam Ehlinger.

Mond’s only action in his time with the Browns was in the 2023 preseason. He completed 42-of-74 total pass attempts (57 percent) for 390 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in the four games.