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The Colts are absolutely looking to add some pass rushers this offseason in an attempt to improve the pressure that they generate on opposing quarterbacks, as they didn't do that well at all last year and can't count on Robert Mathis to return to form at 34-years old and coming off of a torn Achilles.
One such name that the Colts are reportedly looking at when it comes to pass rushers is the Redskins' Brian Orakpo, who is set to become a free agent. This according to Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcons?src=hash">#Falcons</a> are NOT front runner for Brian Orakpo. 3 teams: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Colts?src=hash">#Colts</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cardinals?src=hash">#Cardinals</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Washington?src=hash">#Washington</a>. Atlanta isn't even talking to him right now.</p>— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) <a href="https://twitter.com/CharlesRobinson/status/575130528388546561">March 10, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Robinson had previously reported yesterday that the Colts were interested in Orakpo but would wait a few days into free agency before pursuing him. He's a good pass rushing outside linebacker who will be just 29-years old when the 2015 season starts. In six seasons with the Redskins, Orakpo has played in and started 71 games, recording 254 tackles, 40 sacks, 17 passes defensed, an interception (returned for a touchdown), and six forced fumbles. He notched 28.5 sacks in his first three years in the league and again in 2013 had ten sacks, but recently he has struggled with injuries. His 2014 season was ended after seven games and just 0.5 sacks due to a torn pectoral muscle, which is an injury that he has suffered multiple times. He has made the Pro Bowl three times and, when healthy, could still be a valuable pass rush threat, but there are injury concerns with him.
Of course, for a team like the Colts needing pass rush help desperately, they might be willing to take a chance on a guy with the talent but with injury concerns. It's a risk that the Colts would run in bringing Orakpo in, but it might be a risk that they are willing to take given their need at the pass rush area. They'll likely have some competition for Orakpo's services, but it does sound like the Colts are at least somewhat interested in the talented yet often injured linebacker.