One young Indianapolis Colts veteran is going into training camp like his job depends on it. Cornerback Juju Brents came to Indy with plenty of potential, and to be fair, that hasn't changed. What has changed is his ability to be healthy, and stay on the field. Brents has spent so much time injured that he's only been able to appear in a handful of games.
The Colts may not have much more patience for him, either. With the offseason additions of Charvarius Ward and Corey Ballentine, as well as nabbing Justin Walley in the draft - and then considering the existing cornerbacks who aren't going anywhere, like Kenny Moore and Jaylon Jones - the Colts' CB room is suddenly looking very crowded.
Now, the rumors are that Brents will have to battle Samuel Womack for the final roster spot. And that's not a good sign for Brents.
As SI's Locked On Colts podcast explained,
"If it came down to it with me, between Sam Womack and Juju Brents, I think I would personally lead Sam Womack in that cornerback room. I'm not completely giving up on Juju Brents, but when I look at what I want in this cornerback room... I've already got a lot of size in Charvarius Ward and Jaylon Jones, and Justin Walley's got some decent size - well, not great size, obviously, not Juju Brents size, but decent size - and I kind of just don't want another slower corner in the room, especially when you're gonna be doing more man, and more just asking corners to do more difficult athletic stuff. And a guy with his injury history too. And I just saw more good out of Womack last year than what I've seen from Brents in his career at this point. So personally, I would lean Womack, also with the gunner experience too that Womack has."
It's not much of a surprise that Brents' injury history is a mark against him, but can he even keep up with the CBs he'll be competing against? He would need Lou Anarumo to go heavy on the cornerbacks and keep seven on the roster; if he keeps six, Brents would, unfortunately, seem to be the natural cut candidate. And Brents' inability to stay healthy could be enough to condemn him, considering the number one thing Anarumo said he's looking for is consistency. He wants cornerbacks he can rely on week after week... and so far, Brents doesn't fit the bill.
"That competition there is great," Anarumo said. "But you've got to be consistent. I don't want a lot of ups and downs, especially at that position. I want to know what we're going to get week in and week out."