Colts sign unretired veteran safety to bolster depth

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 26: Nasir Adderley #24 of the Los Angeles Chargers in coverage during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 26, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Tell me if you’ve heard this story recently before.

A former Los Angeles Charger surprisingly comes out of retirement after a number of years to play for the Indianapolis Colts, only this time, it isn’t longtime grizzled veteran quarterback Philip Rivers.

Instead, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Indianapolis Colts signed free agent safety Nasir Adderley, the 28-year-old safety who last played for the Chargers back in 2022, before retiring from professional football:

Originally a 2019 2nd round pick of the Chargers, the 6,’0”, 206 pound safety had recorded 232 tackles (168 solo), 3 interceptions, 12 passes defensed, 0.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries during 50 career games (44 starts) with Los Angeles from 2019-2022.

He last played in 2022, when he made 62 tackles (39 solo), 2 interceptions, 4 passes defensed, and a forced fumble during 16 games (15 starts) for the Chargers. Per PFF, he earned a +62.2 overall grade that final season.

With Colts safety Nick Cross having departed in free agency, the Colts current projected starters at the position are entrenched veteran Cam Bynum and 2nd-year safety Hunter Wohler alongside him. That being said, if Adderley can regain his prior NFL form, he presents another potential experienced starting option for the Colts in the backend of their secondary.

The Colts also added a pair of free agent safeties earlier this offseason, Juanyeh Thomas and Jonathan Owens, to provide additional depth at the position—although Owens projects more as core special teams depth.