Report: Colts poach practice squad linebacker from Cowboys

According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, the Indianapolis Colts are signing linebacker Buddy Johnson off the Dallas Cowboys practice squad:

The former 2021 4th round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been well traveled in his early NFL career, having also spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans, Chicago Bears, and most recently, the Cowboys organization.

At 6’2”, 240 pounds (with 31 1/2” arms), Johnson has appeared in 21 career games, recording 14 tackles (8 solo). Coming out of Texas A&M, he had a RAS of 9.22 out of a maximum of 10.0. He definitely has some elite physical measurables to take note of.

He appeared in 1 game for the Cowboys so far this season, playing 82% of the team’s special teams snaps in Week 1. However, he played in 14 games for Dallas last season, recording 8 tackles (3 solo).

The Colts could be kicking the tires on additional linebacker depth. Specifically, the team hasn’t found a clear answer alongside reigning All-Pro linebacker Zaire Franklin, despite trying a number of different options rotationally.

It’s worth noting though that rehabbing 2nd-year linebacker Jaylon Carlies (ankle), who was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return to begin the season, is eligible to return to practice this week. However, Colts head coach Shane Steichen was non-committal when asked whether Carlies would actually return to the practice field for Week 5.

At this point though, I’m not sure that the Colts can realistically expect much more from Johnson than the others they’ve already tried rotationally—all of whom are better suited as backups than first-team defensive starters.

That being said, it doesn’t hurt to at least try, as the status quo hasn’t been providing nearly enough production.