Boom Herron Signs Exclusive Rights Tender with Colts

The Indianapolis Colts actually posted news that wasn't an April Fool's Day joke this morning, as they announced that running back Daniel "Boom" Herron has officially signed his exclusive rights tender - meaning that he is officially back with the team for 2015.

Basically, the exclusive rights tender is something that can be extended to players who are due to be exclusive rights free agents (big surprise, I know) and, once tendered, the player really has only two options: either sign the deal and return to the team or not play football.  So it's really an easy decision for players, and now all three exclusive rights free agents who the Colts tendered have officially signed (Herron, Cam Johnson, and Daniel Adongo).

With the Colts in 2014, Herron played in all 16 regular season games (starting three) and rushed for 351 yards and a touchdown while averaging 4.5 yards per carry and adding 21 receptions for 173 yards.  Then in the playoffs, Herron started all three games and recorded 170 yards and two scores rushing (averaging 3.8 yards per carry) and added 20 receptions for 128 yards receiving (the most receiving yards by a Colts running back in a single postseason in team history).

Herron returns to a Colts' backfield that is significantly improved, but he likely still has a significant role awaiting him.  Frank Gore was signed this offseason as the starting back, but after that it appears to be Herron as the number two, change of pace back.  We don't know what will happen in the draft and so this could change, but currently Herron clearly looks like the number two back.