Former Indianapolis Colts Linebacker Jerrell Freeman Retires

NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 27: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans is sacked by Jerrell Freeman #50 of the Indianapolis Colts during the game at LP Field on September 27, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 27: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans is sacked by Jerrell Freeman #50 of the Indianapolis Colts during the game at LP Field on September 27, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Jerrell Freeman announced his retirement from the National Football League last week.

Freeman was a member of the Colts from 2012 through 2015, and was a member of the Chicago Bears in 2016 and 2017. Prior to playing in the NFL, he played four seasons at the University of Mary Hardin–Baylor, and played three seasons in the Canadian Football League for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

As a member of the Colts, Freeman started in all 57 of his appearances, and accumulated 322 tackles, 12 sacks, nine forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and four interceptions. For the Bears, he started in all 13 of his appearances, and made 93 tackles.

Freeman missed most of the 2017 season with a torn pectoral, and missed part of the 2016 season because of a PED suspension. After going on injured reserve last season, he again tested positive for PEDs. Had he not retired, he would have had to serve two more games of his suspension in the 2018 season.

Freeman’s four seasons with the Colts should be remembered fondly. By no means was he a superstar, but he was a consistent player on a defense that was mostly unimpressive. His 2013 season was one of the best by a Colts linebacker in recent memory. He had 93 tackles, five and a half sacks, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions.

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The Colts would love to get production like that out of their group of linebackers every season. The Colts will hope that rookie linebackers Darius Leonard, Matthew Adams, and Zaire Franklin can become that consistent.