Colts Meeting with Former Starting Jaguars, Browns Defender
The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly working out former Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. on Monday.
The Score's Jordan Schultz tweeted, "Source: Former #Browns safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. is working out for the #Colts today. Harrison has been a valuable playmaker in the secondary — recording 5 career INTs, 9 TFLs and 223 tackles."
With the talent that the Colts have at safety, it may be confusing to see this happening. However, multiple injuries are starting to add up between starting free safety Rodney Thomas II (toe), starting strong safety Julian Blackmon (hamstring), and rookie Daniel Scott (on IR with torn ACL).
Thomas and Blackmon’s injuries aren’t season-ending or severe, but rather temporary and nagging. However, Scott isn’t playing this year after a brutal ACL tear, and second-year defender Nick Cross is still working to better understand NFL speed, as last year he was exploited by offenses with big plays.
With all of this considered, bringing in Harrison makes good sense.
Throughout his five-year NFL career, the former third-round selection has played 67 games (45 started), recorded 223 tackles, 5 interceptions, 23 passes defended, and 5.5 sacks.
Needless to say, Harrison can bring fire to a safety group that needs some depth, and now. Is there also the chance that Harrison could push for a position on the final 53-man roster? I vote “Yes.” Given his experience and gritty style, he could present an interesting factor for Gus Bradley’s defense and makes plays in the backfield, too.
With Indianapolis being hit by the injury bug during the preseason, it’s important to continue adding depth and solid backup where it’s needed. The Colts have a player they’re working out in Harrison who can do just that, and potentially more, in the right scheme.
