Stampede Blue
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Indianapolis Colts are signing former Miami Dolphins All-Pro veteran cornerback Xavien Howard:
Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Howard’s new Indy deal is for 1-year and up to $5 million with incentives.
Dealing with reported legal issues, the 32-year-old cornerback last played for the Dolphins during the 2023 season, in which he recorded 45 tackles (36 solo), a tackle for loss, 12 passes defensed, and an interception in 13 starts. Per PFF, that final season in Miami he received a +55.1 overall grade.
Of course, the Colts are currently very injury depleted at cornerback.
Specifically, impressive rookie Justin Walley was lost to a season-ending torn ACL in training camp, and both outside starting CB2 candidates, Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents are dealing with severe hamstring injuries—keeping them out of both training camp and preseason games as of late.
Colts undrafted rookie cornerback Johnathan Edwards, who had been filling in for Walley during the interim, also suffered a concussion during this past Saturday’s Week 2 preseason home game.
The encouraging news is that the Colts still have Samuel Womack III in the fold, who was a saving grace last season, after being claimed off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers as part of final roster cuts and made 8 starts during 2024.
That being said, the former 3x NFL All-Pro and 4x Pro Bowler, Howard, while realistically not his lockdown cornerback form anymore, should provide the Colts cornerback room with some proven veteran experience, having had 99 career starts during his 8 career seasons—all with the Dolphins.
It’ll be interesting to see whether the gamble pays off for new Colts veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who between Charvarius Ward and Howard has a highly accomplished potential starting outside CB1 and 2 pairing, depending on what kind of shape and form Howard is in presently.
Anarumo is already well familiar with Howard, as he was his defensive backs coach in Miami from 2016-17.
