Colts sign two veteran safeties, adding depth and experience to young secondary

The Indianapolis Colts started the preseason with a really young secondary. With rookies and second-year players at corner and both safety spots, experience wasn’t the strength of the group. However, on Monday, Indy’s secondary got older and more experienced.

The Colts signed two veteran safties: Ronnie Harrison Jr. and Teez Tabor. To make room for the two veterans, Indianapolis waived running back Zavier Scott and safety Aaron Maddox.

Colts sign Ronnie Harrison Jr. and Teez Tabor

Ronnie Harrison Jr., 26, was drafted out of Alabama in the third round of the 2018 Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. After two seasons with Jacksonville, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns, where he spent his last three seasons. During his time with the Jaguars and Cleveland, Harrison had his fair share of action against Indianapolis.

In his five seasons, Harrison has played in 67 games, starting 45. In those games, he recorded 223 tackles, nine for a loss, 5.5 sacks, 23 pass deflections, and five interceptions.

Teez Tabor, 27, was drafted out of Florida in the second round of the 2017 Draft by the Detroit Lions. Tabor spent two seasons with Detroit, then bounced around the league, playing with the San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, and now the Colts. In 38 career games (seven starts), Tabor has recorded 59 tackles.

Now, Tabor and Harrison will compete to make Indy’s roster and provide depth to the team’s young safeties. Rodney Thomas II and Julian Blackmon are still the likely starters, but the competition starts after them. With Harrison’s experience, he could be asked to start if one of Indy’s current starters goes down with an injury. With young guys like Nick Cross and Trevor Denbow also trying to establish themselves, the safety room could be one of Indy’s most competitive units throughout training camp.

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