Colts Roster Moves: Melvin Bullitt Is Hurt Again, Darren Evans To Practice Squad

by Brad Wells on Sep 21, 2011 2:54 PM EDT in 2011 Colts News

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 18: Joshua Cribbs #17 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball after making a reception against Melvin Bullitt #33 of Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 18, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

With the news yesterday that the Colts had signed safety Stevie Brown, the question that remained was, 'Who got cut to make room for Brown?' The answer was Darren Evans who, like Brown, is an Indiana native. However, fear not Evans fans. The former Warren Central High School product was signed today to the practice squad.

After all that was settled, the next logical query was, 'Why sign another safety?' Well, turns out Melvin Bullitt is hurt again.

One day after the Colts signed free-agent safety and former Columbus East High School star Stevie Brown, coach Jim Caldwell said the roster tweak was necessary due to a question about Bullitt.

"To be honest with you, Melvin has a bit of an issue that he’s dealing with that we’re just not quite certain where he is at this point," Caldwell said today. "That’s the reason Steve Brown is here."

The Colts aren't disclosing the injury, but I'm willing to bet money that it involves his shoulder. Bullitt, who has had chronic shoulder issues his whole career, had a metal pin inserted this offseason to correct the issue.

As we noted prior to the start of the season, safeties with metal pins in their shoulders do not inspire confidence in their durability. Still, the Colts re-signed him anyway after they failed to reel in Eric Weddle.

Last season, Bullitt was IRed because of a shoulder injury and we Colts fans were subjected to watching Aaron Francisco playing the safety position. Now, it looks like we get Stevie Brown.

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The Colts are destined to have a chronically injured Safety for the rest of time.

by Joseph* on Sep 21, 2011 2:59 PM EDT reply actions

our safeties have to make a lot of tackles

due to other players missing their tackles. It makes for added abuse to the body. Look at Sanders. He’s a prime example. He did mop up duty for everyone else and he was always injured.

by Ayrshire on Sep 21, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Ironically not with San Diego yet. Hmmm?

"I dig Jeff George's Camaro Cut"

by PV Mike on Sep 21, 2011 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

SD has a viable front 7

So guys like Bob are more protected from blockers and big RBs with a head of steam.

by FatDT on Sep 21, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

He injured himself on a pass deflection last season.

Surprised he’s still active at the moment.

by Joseph* on Sep 21, 2011 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Too bad

Hope it isn’t too serious and he’s back soon. I’m liable to physically begin vomiting uncontrollably if I have to watch Francisco ever suit up in a start safety position again. I’ve really thought highly of Melvin throughout his entire career here. Nothing flashy, just solid and (until last year) dependable safety play.

by coltsfanbeforemanning on Sep 21, 2011 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

Two things are certain the Sun Comes up and our Undersized D-players will go down

by PeytonIsGOAT on Sep 21, 2011 3:14 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Another in Bill WE TRUST !

DON’T WORRY NEXT MAN UP AND ITS CORRECTABLE

by MrBoJangles46 on Sep 21, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

If Aaron Francisco is signed at any point...

there should be riots in the streets.

by Joseph* on Sep 21, 2011 3:20 PM EDT reply actions

I'm pretty sure Fransiciso is on someone elses squad

tho if its their practice squad you know Polian will jump at his “boy”

Go Blue!

Revenue - Expenses = Profit

by dezznutz1001 on Sep 22, 2011 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Correction

duh, he was on my hometown Lions…and they cut his azz

Go Blue!

Revenue - Expenses = Profit

by dezznutz1001 on Sep 22, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Melvin has "a bit of an issue?"

At this point, I think we all do.

by MichColtFan on Sep 21, 2011 3:25 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs

How many more Colts will get hurt?

Just to not have to play this year with no hope of winning?

by Coltsdude1000 on Sep 21, 2011 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

Powers will miss 6+ games

by PeytonIsGOAT on Sep 21, 2011 5:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

The hits keep coming

He will be on IR is what “a bit of an issue” means.

I totally agree that safeties on this roster will continue to go down, as will CBs, because the front 7 isn’t good enough to get the job done.

Smaller, quicker players = smaller, quicker, more injured players. Is it impossible for a bigger player to also be quicker?

I don't always drink beer....but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.

by AceOfSpades on Sep 21, 2011 4:30 PM EDT reply actions

I don't think it's impossible.

by Ayrshire on Sep 21, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

the steelers and raven always looked pretty quick to me....

by BLOODontheTRACKS on Sep 21, 2011 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Bullitt is a back up at best, it is a blessing in disguise right now

Bullitt, until he stops taking bad angles to RBs and WRs and shows me he can break up a pass or two and not be a liability in pass coverage, he is just back up material at best. He is dead weight on the roster if Joe Lefeged or some other safety steps up and plays better. He had those issues before going on IR last year too.

Bullitt went out for one play I think in the Browns game and Caldwell came in for him. The next play was a runnning play and Caldwell flew in there and stopped Hillis for a one yard gain.

Caldwell was impressive during the preseason and on that one play, based on what I saw, more David Caldwell is only going to be a good thing. Just like, I think the D was improved with Conner, Angerer, Wheeler over Conner, Brackett and Angerer. Bullitt should be cut after this year or retained just as a back up, someone else should start.

by chad72 on Sep 21, 2011 5:31 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Stevie Brown...

…is for ST reasons. Caldwell and Lefeged are next in line for the safety position.

by chad72 on Sep 21, 2011 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I think its funny...

the same people who wanted Bulllitt to stay over Sanders because he was “durable” and “you could count on him to be there” are the same people who now question why the Colts didn’t go out and GET a safety because Bullitt has “chronic” shoulder problems.

Bullitt was always just a solid backup who played well in the absence of Sanders and that’s it. He did what he was supposed to do and wasn’t terrible. They tried to sign Weddle, it didn’t pan out. Weddle was never going to leave San Diego, he just wanted San Diego to pay him and needed rivals to drive up the asking price.

by BlueInSD on Sep 21, 2011 7:24 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

How do you know?

Did you poll all Bullitt proponents at the time? Or every person that wanted the Colts to sign a free agent SS? No, you didn’t. You just want to appear clever on the internet.

I never wanted Bullitt as a starter. He is a good backup but a poor starting NFL safety. The Colts should’ve gone after Mikell or Landry.

by FatDT on Sep 21, 2011 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions

For the...

last time, the notion that the Colts were actually pursuing Weddle still seems totally bogus. Not one report came out regarding their “interest” and they were never mentioned as a potential suitor, Jason Cole aside.

With that said, I would have killed to sign Weddle. What a great pick-up that would have been. Bullitt has looked horrible and it’s no surprise that he’s hurt. It’s funny that Bullitt is already hurt but Bob Sanders isn’t lmao.

Coltsider.com - Staff Writer

by Stew Blake on Sep 21, 2011 9:07 PM EDT reply actions