Xavien Howard Signs With Colts

Key Takeaways:

• Indianapolis signs four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard.
• Howard was released by the Miami Dolphins in February 2024.
• Injuries have limited the veteran in recent seasons.
• Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo coached Howard during his first two seasons in Miami.
• Anarumo expects Howard’s ball-hawking skills to bolster Indianapolis’ secondary once he returns to full fitness.

New Address in the Secondary
The Indianapolis Colts on Monday confirmed the signing of cornerback Xavien Howard, a four-time Pro Bowler best known for turning errant passes into takeaways. The move gives Indianapolis a marquee name in its defensive backfield and offers the 31-year-old corner a fresh start after his February 2024 release from the Miami Dolphins.

Reunion With a Familiar Coach
Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo knows exactly what Howard can do. “He can go get the ball,” Anarumo said, recalling the corner’s early years in Miami, when Anarumo served as the Dolphins’ defensive backs coach. “He’s proven that throughout his NFL career that he’s been an elite interceptor.”

Managing the Injury Ledger
Howard’s recent seasons have been interrupted by “a number of injuries,” a reality the Colts intend to respect. “We’ll give him some time to get back into football shape, because that takes a while,” Anarumo added, underscoring the team’s cautious approach.

Banking on Takeaways
Even with the injury caveat, Indianapolis is wagering on Howard’s knack for flipping possession. The veteran’s reputation as a premier ball-hawk—one affirmed by four Pro Bowl nods—remains a compelling asset for a defense eager to generate turnovers.

Looking Ahead
For both player and team, the partnership offers an opportunity: Howard receives a new stage to reassert his elite status, while the Colts gain a proven playmaker in a division that increasingly values aerial offense. As training camp unfolds, all eyes will be on how quickly the former Dolphins star can convert familiarity with Anarumo’s coaching into interceptions on Sundays.