Colts Sign Super Bowl Champion Cornerback Amid Growing Injury Concerns
The Colts signed cornerback David Long Jr. to their practice squad on Monday, adding depth to their secondary as injuries pile up.
Long Jr. is a familiar face in Indianapolis, having spent nearly all last season with the organization after joining the practice squad in September 2024. He was elevated to the active roster the following month but played only nine defensive snaps and did not record any statistics.
The Colts beat the Chargers 38-24 on Sunday to improve their record to an NFL-best 6-1.
Injury Sidelined Long in Training Camp
The Colts re-signed Long in March, but he hurt his groin in training camp and was released from injured reserve with an injury settlement.
The 27-year-old brings veteran experience to the Colts’ secondary and can also fill in special teams. Long has appeared in 79 games with 12 starts over his NFL career.
The 2019 third-round pick (79th overall) won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams and was a key contributor during their playoff run, recording a pick-six in the NFC Wild Card win over the Cardinals.
Long spent his first four seasons with the Rams (2019-22) before splitting 2023 with the Raiders and Panthers. For his career, he has 97 tackles (83 solo) and one interception.
Ward Injury Leaves Colts Thin at Cornerback
The signing comes a day after Justin Herbert picked apart the Colts banged-up secondary, throwing for a career-high 420 yards and three touchdowns. Herbert was also intercepted twice.
Despite their strong start, the Colts rank just 22nd in total defense and 29th against the pass, allowing 255.4 yards per game.
On top of that, injuries are adding up. Cornerback Charvarius Ward Jr. is on IR with a concussion and will miss at least three more games. The Colts have a bye in Week 11, meaning the earliest Ward can return is Week 12 against the Chiefs.
The former All-Pro has nine tackles and three passes defended in four games for the Colts.
Cornerback Kenny Moore II returned Sunday after a three-game absence from an Achilles injury, but fellow cornerbacks Justin Walley and Jaylon Jones are on IR. Additionally, four-time Pro Bowler Xavien Howard unexpectedly retired earlier this month.
The 2024–2025 NHL season has offered a compelling case study in roster management, aging curves, and leadership dynamics. Two prominent forwards—Jake Guentzel and Steven Stamkos—have drawn attention not only for their on-ice production but also for the long-term implications of their contracts and roles within their respective teams
The 2024–2025 NHL season has brought renewed scrutiny to the decisions teams make in free agency, especially when it comes to aging stars versus prime contributors. Two players at the center of this conversation are Jake Guentzel and Steven Stamkos. Both were high-profile acquisitions, but their performances and contract values have diverged sharply, raising questions about long-term planning and leadership dynamics.
Jake Guentzel, now 31, has delivered an impressive season with 80 points and a +18 plus/minus rating. His offensive consistency and two-way play have made him a valuable asset, especially considering his age and the fact that he’s still in his prime. Guentzel’s ability to mesh with his new team and contribute immediately has validated the decision to bring him on board. While his seven-year contract carries some risk as he ages, the early returns suggest it was a calculated gamble worth taking.
In contrast, Steven Stamkos, at 35, has struggled to maintain his elite form. With just 53 points and a troubling -36 plus/minus rating, his impact on the ice has diminished. Nashville’s decision to pay him $8 million per year has drawn criticism, especially given the team’s need for younger, faster talent. Stamkos’s decline is not unexpected—most players see a drop-off in production in their mid-30s—but the severity of his defensive liability has been alarming.
However, Stamkos’s value cannot be measured by statistics alone. His leadership during his tenure with the Tampa Bay Lightning was exemplary. As captain, he guided the team through multiple deep playoff runs and was instrumental in fostering a winning culture. Compared to Victor Hedman, who has taken on more leadership responsibilities in Tampa, Stamkos’s presence was more commanding and emotionally resonant. That said, leadership alone cannot justify a hefty contract if the on-ice performance is lacking.
The contrast between Guentzel and Stamkos highlights a broader challenge in NHL roster construction: balancing legacy with present-day value. Guentzel represents a forward-looking investment—someone who can produce now and potentially remain effective for several more seasons. Stamkos, while a legend in his own right, may be better suited for a mentorship role or reduced minutes to preserve his effectiveness.
Ultimately, time will tell whether Guentzel’s seven-year deal proves to be a wise long-term move. If he continues to produce at this level, the contract could be a steal. For Nashville, the hope is that Stamkos’s intangible qualities—leadership, experience, and locker room presence—can offset his declining production. But in a league driven by speed, youth, and analytics, sentimentality rarely wins championships.
In the end, the 2024–2025 season has made one thing clear: Guentzel was a good addition, and Stamkos, while still respected, may no longer be the player who can carry a team. The numbers speak volumes, and the future will reveal whether these contracts were strokes of genius or cautionary tales.
