The Indianapolis Colts have already made a number of moves this offseason, though no clear splashy ones yet. The team passed up an opportunity to do that when the ownership group decided to keep general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen around. But some players got good news, at least.
The team signed many players to reserve/future contracts in hopes of having a bit longer to check out whether they could help Indy win enough games to get to the postseason in the future. This week, Indianapolis added another player to the same list, but from an unexpected place.
Linebacker Devin Veresuk hasn't yet played in the NFL, but he was a productive rookie in the Canadian Football League this season. He started after three games and had 66 total tackles on defense, two sacks, and an interception (which he returned for a touchdown). If he catches on with Indy, the 6'2" and 240-pound LB will likely play special teams.
Indianapolis Colts take a chance on linebacker Devin Veresuk
He played college at the University of Windsor, and the Canadian didn't participate in the NFL combine. He did have a pro day at the University of Buffalo and posted decent numbers. He ran his 40 in 4.47 seconds and did 27 reps on his 225-pound bench press.
The question for NFL teams, though, would have been how much of a learning curve he would have had in the league. Canadian football is simply different from what kids growing up in the United States know. The competition is tougher, and the coaching is better. Raw skills alone don't translate to production in the NFL.
Still, the Indianapolis Colts are basically just kicking the tires on the former Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker by signing him to a reserve/future contract. There is little risk in giving Veresuk an extended audition as the team continues to search for off-ball linebackers.
In 2025, the Colts cycled through many. Stalwart Zaire Franklin consistently held down one of the two inside linebacker spots, but his cohort was a rotating bunch. Joe Bachie got a chance and failed. He was eventually released by the team. Neither Chad Muma nor Austian Ajiake was impactful.
Germaine Pratt played the second half of the season across from Franklin, but he was rather awful in coverage, as was Franklin. He is also a free agent this offseason.
Perhaps Devin Veresuk will be a feel-good story who becomes a long-time important member of the Colts' defense. That should be something every Indianapolis fan hopes for.