The Colts will be getting a key cornerback back for the team’s regular season finale in 2024—which is at least encouraging.
The Indianapolis Colts announced on Saturday that 2nd-year cornerback JuJu Brents has been activated off injured reserve, having previously been designated to return to practice a few weeks ago.
The team also announced that it has waived veteran backup cornerback Chris Lammons in a corresponding active 53-man roster move.
As the 44th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, Brents has the prototypical size at 6’3”, 198 pounds, length (with 34” arms), speed, and athleticism that the Colts covet at the outside cornerback position.
Unfortunately, he’s been limited by a myriad of injuries, including a significant knee injury (with a damaged meniscus and PCL) that has limited him to just the season’s opener this year.
During the 2024 regular season, Brents has 7 tackles (3 solo) during a single start in Week 1. Because of those injuries, Brents has been limited to 10 career games over the past two seasons.
It’ll be interesting to see how much playing time he’ll garner in the regular season finale at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he’ll likely be on a pitch count and serving as more of a rotational outside cornerback out there.
That being said, it’s at least encouraging that he was able to return this season, even at the end.
Regarding Lammons, the veteran cornerback appeared in 14 games (1 start) for the Colts this season, making 12 tackles (10 solo), and playing 50% of the team’s special teams snaps.