Colts sign experienced, versatile defender after JuJu Brents' injury

The Colts are bringing Ronnie Harrison Jr. back to the practice squad.

Indianapolis signed the strong safety-linebacker hybrid as well as outside cornerback Kelvin Joseph — as previously reported by IndyStar — on Wednesday.

The two depth moves come one day after the team placed top outside cornerback JuJu Brents on injured reserve with a knee injury. Brents will miss extended time, but the team will leave open the possibility of a late-season return, a source told IndyStar. Starting strong safety Julian Blackmon did not practice Wednesday.

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The Colts have to make some adjustments now, as the only other outside cornerback who dressed in Week 1 against the Texans is fellow starter Jaylon Jones. Indianapolis has Dallis Flowers but made him a healthy scratch in his first game back from an Achilles tear.

Joseph is an option on the outside, as he was drafted by the Cowboys in the second round in 2021 with that intention. Through three seasons, he has logged just 351 snaps on defense.

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Indianapolis could look to move Kenny Moore II to the outside, which could call for either Chris Lammons or Samuel Womack in the nickel, or the Colts could consider moving safeties Nick Cross or Julian Blackmon there, which is how Harrison could wind up stepping in to help.

Harrison has 48 career starts, almost all coming at strong safety. The Colts moved him to linebacker last season but then moved him back to strong safety for two games after Blackmon went down and then permanently for the offseason after drafting Jaylon Carlies in the fifth round out of Missouri.

Contact Nate Atkins at natkins@indystar.com. Follow him on X @NateAtkins_.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts sign experienced, versatile defender after JuJu Brents' injury