Recently released injured Indianapolis Colts running back Vick Ballard has cleared waivers and now reverts back to the team’s injured reserve, at least for now.
The 4th-year running back ends up back on injured reserve for the 3rd consecutive season, although it is possible that if he can get fully healthy, he could reach an injury settlement with the Colts in order to play elsewhere.
It’s not that the team no longer believed in Ballard. According to head coach Chuck Pagano Thursday, it was more of him being injured and the team simply needing another healthy player:
#colts HC Chuck Pagano: Cutting Vick Ballard. He wasn't healthy and we needed a body. We did what we felt was best for the team
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) September 17, 2015
In the NFL, literally every roster spot on a 53-man active roster is invaluable, and it’s hard to have one go to waste because of an injured player missing action for an extended period of time. Ballard’s uncertain health status going forward really left the Colts in a bind with little other choice.
The fact that the Colts even kept the injured Ballard on their 53-man active roster entering the opener speaks volumes that the team still really believes in his ability and talent even coming off so many significant injuries:
Re: Vick Ballard, #Colts GM Ryan Grigson said as recently as a week ago it would be hard to let a player of his talent hit the street.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) September 15, 2015
Originally a 5th round pick of the Colts in 2012, Ballard had a really strong rookie season, as he led the team in rushing with 814 rushing yards. However, injuries have derailed what was once a proimising start to a career, as he only appeared in one game during the past two seasons before being shut down for the Colts once again.
It’s worth noting that Ballard is entering the last year of his rookie contract with the Colts, so his football future is highly uncertain at this juncture to say the least.
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