Colts Sign Quarterbacks Josh Freeman and Ryan Lindley

The Indianapolis Colts announced today that the team has signed free agent quarterbacks Josh Freeman and Ryan Lindley.

Additionally, the team promoted inside linebacker Amarlo Herrera and placed fellow inside linebacker Josh McNary on season-ending injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Dec 27, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) is seen on the sideline against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. The Colts won 18-12. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

With Charlie Whitehurst (hamstring) placed on season-ending injured reserve earlier this week, Stephen Morris was the Colts only healthy quarterback–who recently signed with the team just last week. Last week’s starter, Matt Hasselbeck, is officially “doubtful” for Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury.

As such, the Colts were very thin at the quarterback situation, especially since Andrew Luck‘s status is still uncertain, as he has yet to be medically cleared by doctors.

With only one game left, the odds are looking incredibly bleak for Luck actually returning this season, and the team may be better off to simply shut him down with an eye towards next season.

Regarding Freeman, the team worked out the 6th-year veteran on Monday and apparently were either satisfied desperate enough to sign the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1st round pick.

At this point late in the season, Freeman is about as best as the team could ideally hope for. The 6’6″, 240 pound quarterback has always possessed impressive physical skills, but fell out of favor in Tampa Bay due to questionable decisions late in his tenure there.

While Freeman hasn’t appeared in a regular season game since 2013 with the Minnesota Vikings, he at least has proven starting experience–having made 60 career starts in 6 NFL seasons. He’s thrown for 25+ touchdowns twice in his career, both in 2010 and 2012 with the Buccaneers.

As for Lindley, he was originally a 6th round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in the 2012 NFL Draft out of San Diego State. Since then, he has also been a member of the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots organizations.

Jan 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley (14) runs onto the field before the 2014 NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

While the 4-year veteran had yet to appear in a regular season game this season, Lindley made 3 starts for the Arizona Cardinals last season–including the team’s Wildcard loss to the Carolina Panthers in the absence of Carson Palmer.

The 6’3″, 232 pound quarterback finished last year’s regular season completing 45 of 93 passes for 562 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, and a passer rating of 56.8 in 3 appearances (2 starts).

Right now, it’s unclear who the Colts will have start next Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans at quarterback.

However, it shouldn’t surprise anyone in the least if both Freeman and Lindley receive serious consideration for the nod, especially since Morris has never appeared in an NFL game during his career.