Xavien Howard signed a one-year deal on Monday with the Indianapolis Colts, who added the 32-year-old to address significant injury issues at cornerback.
The Colts hope that Howard, who played in new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s scheme with the Miami Dolphins, will be a quick study and diminish the impact of recent injuries to key players at the position.
Colts fans might painfully recall his two interceptions of quarterback Andrew Luck in a 14-second span of a 2018 Dolphins-Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
A two-time All-Pro with the Dolphins, Howard led the NFL in interceptions twice and owns 29 career picks.
Howard’s agent, David Canter, confirmed the deal Monday morning via X. It has been pegged as a one-year, $5 million contract.
Kenny Moore II, the starter at slot cornerback last season, has a knee injury and the Colts lost rookie Justin Walley for the season on Aug. 7 with a torn ACL. Walley was projected to start at one of the outside corner spots. Hamstring injuries are keeping Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents off the field — but the secondary woes are not just at corner.
Fill-in starter and rookie strong safety Hunter Wohler left Saturday’s game against the Packers with a foot injury. He was on the field in place of starter Nick Cross, who has been fighting a hip injury for a week.
Howard was out of the league last season but was reportedly interested in rejoining a team. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection in eight seasons with the Dolphins.
Miami drafted Howard in the second round of the 2016 draft and he played in Anarumo’s man-heavy scheme each of his first two years.
–Field Level Media
