Indianapolis – The colts, dealing with a wave of cornerback injuries, signed the Vétéran Xavien Howard as a potential solution, hoping that it can resume part of its elite performance passed despite the last season.
The acquisition of Howard was announced by his agent, David Canter, before the team later confirmed the move.
Gathered and it does so much good. Congratulations to @AurasportsGroup customer @IAMXAVIENHOWARD In signature with @Cols pic.twitter.com/xdg9wapage
– David Canter (@davidcanter) August 18, 2025
Howard’s signature will put it on an active list for the first time since the Miami dolphins reduced the Quadruple Pro Bowl and 2020 All-Pro selection in February 2024. Howard treated a certain number of injuries in recent years, but the colts have led training in person with him, with a team source describing his performance as “really good”.
The defensive coordinator of the colts, Lou Anarumo, has a long history with Howard, having been coach of the Dolphins’ defensive backs during the first two seasons of Howard with the team, 2016-17.
“He can go get the ball. And he has proven that throughout his career in the NFL, he was an elite interceptor. So we hope – we will give him time to resume the form of football, because it takes some time – but we hope we can advance some of these interceptions,” said Anarumo on Monday.
Anarumo said the Bengals had worked Howard in December when Anarumo was still in Cincinnati as a team’s defensive coordinator.
“I just feel good about it, the athlete he is. Maybe you could look at him because his legs have had a year to rest. Something I know, it is his ball skills and these things, they don’t go away, and he always has them,” he said.
Indianapolis faces four key injuries at the post, including the corner half of the veteran location Kenny Moore II; Jaylon Jones, a starter of 17 games last season; and 2023 Pick of second round Juju Brent. The Recruit Justin Walley, a choice of third round which was to be the n ° 3 corner half, torn his ACL two weeks ago and will miss the season.
If Howard can occur as planned, it is well suited to the new aggressive colt defensive style. He has a story of the press cover that Anarumo uses, and he made it with great success. Howard led the NFL with 10 interceptions in 2020. He also had seven league interceptions in 2018.
Howard made the headlines last year when he was alleged in a trial for sending a teenager a sexually explicit image of the boy’s mother. The allegation was made by a lawyer from another woman who accused Howard of sharing recordings of their sexual meetings.
Howard was not criminally charged.
