Colts Sign OLB Victor Butler

With a short week coming, the Indianapolis Colts made a roster move this morning, signing outside linebacker Victor Butler to the active roster and waiving outside linebacker Chris Carter.

Butler played in 63 games with the Dallas Cowboys from 2009-2012 after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2009 draft out of Oregon State by the Cowboys.  Butler recorded 65 tackles, 11 sacks, 5 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and 40 tackles on special teams while with Dallas.  He signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2013 but spent the entire season on the reserve/PUP list with a torn ACL.  That also caused him to miss much of training camp this year before he was cleared, and then shortly after he was waived by the Saints.  The Cardinals then brought him in but waived him just two weeks later, though he was on the active roster for a game.  The Colts signed him today, and Butler hasn't appeared in an NFL game since week seventeen of the 2012 season.

Carter was signed by the Colts a month ago and appeared in one game with the team.  In his career (between both the Steelers and Colts) he has played in 30 games.

The pickup of Butler is a terrific one by the Colts, because it's one that could pay off but that requires little risk.  Carter was inactive yesterday and so if Butler is inactive, it's not like the Colts lost anything.  At the same time, however, Butler was a very good pass rush talent a couple of years ago with the Cowboys and was looking to turn into a great 3-4 outside linebacker.  He's best at pass rushing but he can hold his own against the run as well.  Unfortunately, he tore his ACL last offseason and he hasn't gotten back on the field yet, but if he can get back on track he could be a good boost to the Colts' pass rush.