The Colts on Wednesday signed linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither.
Davis-Gaither was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round (No. 107 overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft and spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Bengals playing for current Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. With the Bengals, Davis-Gaither appeared in 88 games (24 starts) and recorded 204 tackles, two interceptions, 11 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three quarterback hits.
In 2025, Davis-Gaither played all 17 games for the Arizona Cardinals – and started in 13 of those games – and set single-season career-highs with 117 tackles and five passes defensed.
The 6-foot-2, 238-pound linebacker played college football at Appalachian State from 2015-19 and was named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2019.
View photos highlighting the career of linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, who joins the Indianapolis Colts after signing in free agency.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (27) walks down the sideline during a NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Samantha Chow)
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (27) walks off the field after a NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Glendale, Ariz., on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Samantha Chow)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chimere Dike, right, runs past Arizona Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (27) on a kickoff return during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither celebrates a tackle during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Sergio Estrada)
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (27) gets ready for a play in an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Samantha Chow)
Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (27) lines up before the snap during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither arrives to State Farm Stadium before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Samantha Chow)
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (27) looks on before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Samantha Chow)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Charlie Woerner (89) is hit by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (27) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum (22) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (27) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (59) runs for the play during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (59) runs for the play during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (59) gestures during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (59) gestures during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (59) stretches prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers defeated the Bengals, 34-27. (Kate Foultz via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals' Akeem Davis-Gaither (59) and Joseph Ossai (58) during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (59) defends during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (59) celebrates recovering a fumble on a punt return during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither lines up for a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (27) runs across the field during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
