The Indianapolis Colts entered their first preseason game of 2025 with a number of defensive backs banged up and not playing. This meant other players battling for a roster spot and a great chance to prove they belong on the team. One player who has yet to play a down in a regular season game did just that.
Cornerback Alex Johnson is unofficially listed on the Colts' depth chart as the backup nickelback. In reality, he is likely much further down on the list. The list above him includes Jaylon Jones, Charvarius Ward, Kenny Moore, JuJu Brents, and Samuel Womack. Justin Walley was also in that group, but he suffered a torn ACL in Thursday's preseason game and will miss the season.
Some of those guys are really good. Meanwhile, Johnson went undrafted out of college in 2024, was signed by the New York Giants, released, and signed to the Colts' practice squad, and didn't get a chance to do anything in a real game. He still hasn't, but that might change.
Alex Johnson makes his case to make the Indianapolis Colts' 2025 roster
Getting a chance to start against the Baltimore Ravens in the first preseason game, Johnson made a ridiculously athletic play to intercept a pass deep down the sideline from Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush. The cornerback did not look like the kind of player who got lucky on the play. He was physical and was in a great position.
Alex Johnson gets the INT for the @Colts on the second play from scrimmage 😤
— NFL (@NFL) August 7, 2025
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Johnson is not going to be a starter, of course. Indy has too much talent ahead of him for that, especially after signing Ward this offseason. But Johnson could be the kind of glue player all teams need to help them succeed. He clearly has coverage skills, even if he was facing mostly Ravens backups.
He can also probably help on special teams, and the Colts need the help. In the first half against Baltimore, Indy was exposed on an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown and a long kickoff return, too. The team might as well keep Johnson around to try to fix that problem as well.
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Besides the interception, Johnson also had another pass defended. Again, it was due to tight coverage. While the Indianapolis Colts started the game poorly and the Ravens' backups were dictating all facets of the game, Johnson was one of the few bright spots for Indy.
He was trusted to start a meaningless game. The team should trust Alex Johnson further and keep him on the 53-man roster. That might mean keeping seven cornerbacks. Johnson would make that worth it for the Colts.