Training camp is begging Colts to make obvious roster decision they won't

Help is needed, but will Indy get the help?
Rasul Douglas of the Buffalo Bills
Rasul Douglas of the Buffalo Bills | Bryan Bennett/GettyImages

The Indianapolis Colts need some help in the secondary. Not that on paper the team doesn't have talent, because Indy certainly does. The issue is that the group has suffered a number of injuries in training camp and is beginning to thin quickly.

Rookie Justin Walley, who was battling for one starting corner spot, tore his ACL and is done for the year. Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents have been battling hamstring injuries. Kenny Moore II hurt his leg in practice recently, and the results are pending.

The Colts have a good roster overall, and while the quarterback play is iffy, the team should still have a good chance at winning at least half its games. That is, unless Indy suffers more injuries. The secondary needs help, and there is one easy way to help remedy the issue.

Cornerback Rasul Douglas could be a great option for the Indianapolis Colts

Veteran Rasul Douglas, who has 19 interceptions in eight seasons and usually provides solid coverage, remains a free agent and is healthy enough to play right away. Perhaps, he believes he thinks he deserves a bigger contract than any team is willing to offer, but he is still a valuable player.

The Miami Dolphins have made numerous inquiries with Douglas this offseason, but there is no guarantee he would start. For that reason, Douglas appears to have continuously turned down Miami. If he were to sign with the Colts, there is a great chance he would start.

Indianapolis has around $17 million in cap space left, and Douglas's market value is probably under $10 million. He is 30 years old, and teams are less likely to risk a lot of money on players of that age unless the player has proven to be consistently elite. Douglas is certainly good enough to start, but isn't exactly Devon Witherspoon.

But the Indianapolis Colts are probably unlikely to make a play for Rasul Douglas. Instead, general manager Chris Ballard is more likely to trust the depth the team has already built. Does that mean the Indy defense might suffer if players such as Jones and Brents aren't ready to come back fully healthy by Week 1? Yes.

Douglas would certainly help avoid that situation, but Indianapolis is probably not going to offer him, or any other free agent cornerback, a contract. Colts fans should just hope that the currently injured players make a return before the start of the season.


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