Colts Place ILB Nate Irving on IR; Promote Amarlo Herrera and Re-sign Jalil Brown

The Indianapolis Colts announced on Tuesday that the team has placed backup inside linebacker Nate Irving on injured reserve with a wrist injury and promoted another inside linebacker Amarlo Herrera from the practice squad.

Additionally, the team waived cornerback Josh Thomas and re-signed Jalil Brown in a corresponding move.

It’s a blow for the Colts linebacking corps, as Irving received the start in place of an injured Jerrell Freeman and played well this past Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 5th year veteran has his season end prematurely for the 2nd consecutive year, having suffered a torn ACL with the Denver Broncos last season.

Having signed a 3-year, $7.2 million deal with the Colts this offseason, Irving ends his season–having appeared in 8 games with 2 starts, recording 14 tackles, 1 sack, and a forced fumble.

Aug 29, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive back Jalil Brown (25) intercepts a pass from St. Louis Rams quarterback Sean Mannion (not pictured) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

As his replacement, the Colts have promoted rookie inside linebacker Amarlo Herrera, who appeared in 1 game for the Colts earlier this season before being waived and re-added to the team’s practice squad.

The 6’0″, 244 pound Herrera showed some flashes of his talent in preseason and already has familiarity with the team’s defensive playbook and scheme.

Otherwise, the team re-signed cornerback Jalil Brown, who they had placed on injured reserve with a groin injury in early October before waiving him with an injury settlement. In a corresponding move, the team waived fellow cornerback Josh Thomas, who had been a healthy scratch in recent games.

Brown appeared in 4 games for the Colts earlier this season, making 3 starts. He recorded 15 tackles during that span before his injury. It’s worth noting that he was one of the team’s standouts during this past offseason’s training camp.