ProFootballTalk is reporting that the Colts have added special teams returnman and running back Jeff Demps to their practice squad. Of course, Demps is most known for being an Olympian on the U.S. Olympic 4×100-meter relay team. He’s diminutive at a listed, 5’7″, 175 pounds, but he can “fly”.
Originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Florida by the New England Patriots in 2012, Demps never played a meaningful snap for the Patriots, after being placed on season-ending injured reserve in August of that upcoming season.
In the following offseason, he was actually placed in the LeGarrette Blount trade along with a 7th round pick, as he was sent to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as part of the exchange for the disgruntled runningback. In the 2013 season for Tampa Bay, Demps appeared in 2 games, returning 4 kick-offs for a 23.3 yards per return average. Demps was released in late August of this year as part of the Buccaneers’ final roster cuts.
Being an Olympian, it’s clear that Demps is incredibly fast. While Demps missed the 2012 NFL Draft combine because of the 2012 Summer Olympics, it should come as to no surprise that he runs a projected sub-4.30 forty time. He’s definitely a project, but one that could possibly pay off dividends down the road on special teams.
The Colts had recently worked-out Trindon Holliday last week, who recently signed with the Buccaneers (of all teams), so they’ve clearly been kicking the tires on small, yet speedy returnman.
ProFootballTalk also reported:
"“The Colts also added tight end Konrad Reuland to the practice squad and released quarterback Dominique Davis and wide receiver Chandler Jones from the practice squad.”"