Colts sign Shaun Prater, waive Eric Patterson

The Indianapolis Colts continue their carousal at the cornerback position, as today they signed Shaun Prater and waived Eric Patterson.

Prater was originally drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Iowa, where he played in 48 career games (starting 35).  The 5-10, 190 pound corner spent his rookie season on injured reserve, and the Bengals waived him the following year after training camp.  The Philadelphia Eagles quickly claimed him and he saw brief action with them before being waived in October.  He was again quickly claimed, this time by the Minnesota Vikings, and he saw quite a bit of action with them over the second half of the 2013 season and in 2014.  In his career, he has played in 19 games and has started three of them, recording six tackles, seven passes defensed, a pick, and five special teams tackles.

As for Patterson, his crazy few weeks continues.  He was signed during training camp and waived as a part of the final roster cuts, but was signed to the practice squad shortly after that.  Then, a few days before the Colts' game against the New York Jets, Patterson was signed to the active roster because of injuries.  He played 14 defensive snaps and 7 special teams snaps in that game but was then waived the next day to make room for another cornerback, Josh Thomas.  On Wednesday, then, he was re-signed to the practice squad.  Just two days later, on Friday, the Colts signed Patterson to their active roster again because of an injury to Sheldon Price (who is now on the Colts' injured reserve).  He didn't play at all with the defensive unit on Sunday against the Titans (though he was the fourth cornerback) but did play 17 special teams snaps.  Now, on the second straight Tuesday, however, Patterson has been waived.  I'd expect to see him land on the practice squad again shortly.

With Greg Toler and Darius Butler still dealing with injuries, the Colts have attempted to upgrade their depth at the cornerback position by adding Prater.  The hope has been that Butler will be able to go this week, but his status is uncertain at this point.  We'll get a better idea when the Colts return to practice tomorrow and then through the rest of the week as well.  But either way, the Colts are hoping that Prater can be a contributor as a depth guy just like Josh Thomas was last week against the Titans.  Thomas was signed off the street last Tuesday but saw significant action on Sunday and made an impact.  Hopefully, Prater can do the same if called upon.

The Colts also made a practice squad move earlier today, signing quarterback Alex Tanney to the practice squad.