The Colts kicked off their final of three preseason contests in Cincinnati on Saturday, with promising injury news coming for the defense.
Lou Anarumo’s secondary has been banged up all summer. Rookies Justin Walley and Hunter Wohler are both out for the season, Kenny Moore II is nursing a knee issue and Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents both only recently returned to practice after lengthy absences with hamstring issues.
The Colts, who played mostly third and fourth-string players against the Bengals, were able to get Brents back on the field for some preseason action. It’s a well-timed return for Brents, who is no stranger to missed time.
The third-year cornerback was out most of the summer with his hamstring injury and also missed a combined 23 regular season games in his first two seasons, dealing with hamstring, wrist and quad injuries along the way. Getting him back up to speed is critical not just for the Colts, but for his individual development.
While being on the field without the starters or even the backups proves that Brents is not at all a lock to make the roster, it would be a shame if the Colts had to move on from their second-round pick from 2023 so soon.
Despite playing sparingly, Brents has been a contributor. He’s recorded an interception, six passes defended and forced a fumble in his 11 total games played (nine coming in his rookie season).
It’s in both party’s best interests for Brents to make the roster and get through 2025 healthy, even if he’s buried on the depth chart and forced into a rotational role.
Brents is listed as the backup to Charvarius Ward on the Colts’ most recent depth chart, a spot ahead of Samuel Womack III who filled Brents’ responsibilities for the majority of last season.