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Roster Moves

Colts sign CB Xavien Howard; place T Blake Freeland, LB Jacob Phillips, S Hunter Wohler on injured reserve

Howard led the NFL in interceptions in 2018 and 2020, is a four-time Pro Bowler and 2020 first-team AP All-Pro. 

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The Colts on Monday signed cornerback Xavien Howard, adding veteran experience to a cornerback room hit by several injuries during training camp.

The 32-year-old Howard did not play in 2024 and spent the previous eight seasons (2016-2023) with the Miami Dolphins, where he totaled 29 interceptions and earned four trips to the Pro Bowl (2018, 2020-2022). Howard led the NFL with seven interceptions in 2018, and again led the NFL with 10 interceptions in 2020. He was named a first-team AP All-Pro in 2020, in which he also led the NFL in passes defensed (20).

Over 100 career games, Howard totaled 95 passes defensed (29 interceptions, 66 pass break-ups) with two pick-sixes, four forced fumbles, two sacks, eight tackles for a loss and 331 total tackles.

Howard was a second-round pick of the Dolphins in 2016, and he spent the first two years of his career with Lou Anarumo – now the Colts' defensive coordinator – as his position coach (Anarumo was the Dolphins' defensive backs coach from 2012-2017).

The Colts have had several cornerbacks sustain injuries over the last few weeks. 2025 third-round pick Justin Walley tore his ACL in the Colts' joint practice withe Baltimore Ravens and will miss the entire season; JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones both have missed time with hamstring injuries; Kenny Moore II has missed the last week or so with a knee injury; and 2025 undrafted free agent Johnathan Edwards exited Saturday's preseason game with a concussion.

The Colts on Monday also signed linebackers Jake Chaney and Joseph Vaughn and placed tackle Blake Freeland, linebacker Jacob Phillips and safety Hunter Wohler on injured reserve. Freeland sustained a fractured leg in Saturday's preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, while Phillips left with a bicep injury and Wohler exited with a foot injury. Freeland, Phillips and Wohler are now out for the 2025 season.

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