The Indianapolis Colts news of the day surrounds Indy declining Malik Hooker’s fifth year option.
The big Colts news of the day comes in early in the afternoon Monday, as Indianapolis has officially declined the fifth year option for safety Malik Hooker, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
Colts are declining the fifth-year option of safety Malik Hooker, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 4, 2020
The Colts selected Hooker in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, at 15th overall. The Ohio State product was the second safety off the board that year, behind former LSU safety Jamal Adams.
Hooker played in just seven games as a rookie because of an ACL injury, but he did make an impact in those games. He picked off three passes and returned those three for 73 total yards. Hooker also had four passes defensed and 22 tackles in his rookie campaign.
In 2018, Hooker played in 14 games, grabbing two interceptions, defending four passes, and racking up 44 total tackles. He did, however, miss the playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Hooker played in 13 games in 2019, as he missed a few weeks with a torn meniscus. He still put up similar numbers as he did in 2018, once again picking off two passes and racking up 51 tackles, including one for a loss.
Injuries have most likely led to the declining of Hooker’s option, because availability is the best trait to have in the NFL. Hooker has been the ballhawk he was touted as coming out of Ohio State.
The declining doesn’t mean that the Colts will necessarily move on from Hooker at the end of the 2020 season. It gives Hooker a chance to have a big prove-it year so he can re-sign with Indy after the season concludes.
If Hooker struggles with injuries once again and has a lackluster season, Indy will likely move on from him. They selected Utah safety Julian Blackmon in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and he could be the replacement that Chris Ballard has in mind for 2021 and beyond.
Time will tell, but Malik Hooker will be one of the top Colts to watch for the upcoming season, for better or for worse.
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