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The Indianapolis Colts are in need of help at the safety position, and therefore that will be one of the many areas that the team will address this offseason, and it will likely be addressed at least in part in free agency. According to a report from NFL.com's Connor Orr, it sounds like the Colts are already looking gat safeties who are free agents. Orr reports that former Raiders safety Tyvon Branch is visiting the Colts today.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Tyvon Branch visiting the Colts today, per source. Sounds like it's the first of multiple visits here for the former Raiders safety.</p>— Conor Orr (@ConorTOrr) <a href="https://twitter.com/ConorTOrr/status/573138087099805698">March 4, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Branch spent the first eight years of his career with the Raiders, where he was drafted in 2008. He played in 75 games and started 67, recording 476 tackles, eight sacks, 20 passes defensed, four interceptions, and three forced fumbles. Over the last two seasons, however, Branch has played in just five games total due to injury: a broken foot ended his 2014 season and a broken leg ended his 2013 season. He is a good safety when healthy, but recently that has been a concern. The 28-year old safety will have to sell teams on his health more than he will have to sell them on his ability.
He would definitely be an upgrade at the spot over LaRon Landry and likely a fairly cheap option as well. But, of course, the whole question is about his durability and whether he can stay healthy. When he's on the field, though, he's a good safety. And it sounds like he's visiting the Colts today, according to Connor Orr.