The Colts bolstered their linebacking corps with a smart roster transaction.
The Indianapolis Colts’ have been forced to overcome injuries seemingly at every position this season, but you could make the case that no position has been hit worse than the linebacker spot, which has seen two of its three starters miss time.
While the likes of Darius Leonard and Bobby Okereke have only missed a combined four games, it wouldn’t hurt to add more depth at linebacker in the event that one of them was forced to be sidelined down the stretch.
Well, it shouldn’t be surprising that Indianapolis was proactive in this regard as the team signed former Cowboys linebacker Chris Covington, who actually worked out for the team in October, to the practice squad.
We have signed LB Chris Covington to the practice squad.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 15, 2020
If you remember that Leonard was forced to leave the win over the Raiders with a back injury, this is a smart move from the Colts. Though the All-Pro is expected to play this weekend vs Houston, it doesn’t hurt to have more options — assuming Covington is promoted to the 53-man roster — so that he doesn’t have to play a full complement of snaps.
On top of that, special teams LB Jordan Glasgow landed on the COVID-19 reserve list on Sunday, putting his status for the Texans game in serious jeopardy. It isn’t clear if he tested positive or was in close contact with somebody who did, but you have to think he’s a long shot to play this weekend.
Covington, a former sixth-round pick in 2018, appeared in just two games across two seasons with the Cowboys, recording two solo tackles and one special teams stop. He unfortunately was never afforded the opportunity to unleash the potential he showcased in college at Indiana, where he was a handful for opposing offensive linemen.
#Colts get a late #COVID19 update. https://t.co/FCvXHlRnmt
— IndyStarSports (@IndyStarSports) December 13, 2020
Covington in appeared in 38 games (13 starts) for the Hoosiers, compiling 118 tackles (15 for loss), five sacks, one forced fumble and five passes defended. According to Colts.com, he earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten recognition from league coaches as a senior in 2017.
Fans in Indianapolis obviously shouldn’t expect the third-year pro to make a huge impact, but we wouldn’t be surprised if he played a role, even if it’s minimal, over the remaining three games of the regular season.
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