Colts Sign Former Starting Jaguars, Browns Safety
The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly worked out former Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. on Monday.
The workout was impressive enough for the Colts to bring him onboard. The Colts announced Harrison was joining the team Monday evening. To make room for Harrison, the team waived safety Aaron Maddox.
Harrison is a five-year NFL vet with plenty of starting experience. In 67 career games (45 starts), Harrison has piled up 223 tackles, five interceptions, 5.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries. Last year with the Browns, Harrison played in 16 games (five starts), totaling 24 tackles, one pass deflection, and 0.5 sacks.
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.
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 in Harrison who can do just that, and potentially more, in the right scheme.
