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The NFL playoff start today, and for the first time since the 2011 season, the Indianapolis Colts won't be a part of it. The team went 8-8 this season, finishing second in the AFC South by one game and thus missing out on a playoff spot.
Though the Colts aren't in it this year, however, several players who at one point have played for the Colts will be taking part in the postseason this year. Here's a look at those players, sorted by team:
Denver Broncos:
Ok, this one is easy - Peyton Manning will be quarterbacking the Broncos in the playoffs and is the best and most significant player in the history of the Indianapolis Colts. Manning holds most of the franchise's passing records and threw for 54,828 yards and 399 touchdowns during a stellar 14-year run with the Colts.
New England Patriots:
No former Colts.
Cincinnati Bengals:
No Former Colts.
Houston Texans:
Texans offensive lineman Andrew McDonald (who went to Warren Central High School and Indiana University) spent two weeks with the Colts last year. Indianapolis signed him on December 2, 2014 and then waived him on December 15. He didn't appear in any games with the Colts during his brief stint on the active roster.
Kansas City Chiefs:
No former Colts.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
No former Colts.
Carolina Panthers:
Panthers defensive end Mario Addison spent part of two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts in 2011 and 2012, playing in six games and recording seven tackles. He didn't have much of an impact in Indy, but he has found quite a bit of success in Carolina. Playing the last four seasons with the Panthers (2012-2015), Addison has played in 50 games (starting three) and has recorded 72 tackles, 16 sacks, and three forced fumbles. He has stepped up to be a nice pass rusher for Carolina in recent seasons.
Arizona Cardinals:
If there's one team in the playoffs who has a lot of former Colts, you probably could have guessed it would be the Arizona Cardinals. It makes sense too, considering their coaching staff: head coach Bruce Arians was the offensive coordinator and interim head coach (Coach of the Year) for the Colts during their memorable 2012 run; offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin was the Colts' offensive line coach in 2012; and assistant head coach/offensive assistant Tom Moore was the offensive coordinator for Peyton Manning during the team's incredible run of success and record-breaking offense. With that coaching staff, then, it makes sense why they'd bring in a number of former Colts players. Backup quarterback Drew Stanton was Andrew Luck's backup in 2012 under Arians. Running back Kerwynn Williams was drafted by the Colts in 2013 but played just one game for the team that year before being waived. Offensive tackle Bradley Sowell played in ten games for the Colts in 2012 and has played in all 16 games for the Cardinals in each of the past three seasons. Center A.Q. Shipley spent two stints with the Colts (2012 and 2014), playing in 29 games and starting ten of them. Cornerback Jerraud Powers was drafted by the Colts in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and was a four-year starter with the Colts (2009-2012), starting 42 games and recording 210 tackles, 33 passes defensed, six interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and a forced fumble. Defensive end Cory Redding was signed by the Colts in 2012 as a free agent and was a three-year starter for the team, giving them solid play as he started 45 games and recorded 107 tackles, ten sacks, and seven passes defensed. And then, of course, pass rusher Dwight Freeney spent the bulk of his career with the Colts (2002-2012) and played in 163 games, recording 258 tackles, 107.5 sacks, 43 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries (one for a touchdown), and 14 passes defensed. He signed with the Cardinals mid-season this year but still leads the team with eight sacks and has also recorded three forced fumbles.
Minnesota Vikings:
No former Colts.
Washington Redskins:
Wide receiver Pierre Garcon was drafted by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft and developed into a starting receiver for the team. During his time in Indy (2008-2011), Garcon played in 58 games and started 43, catching 188 passes for 2,519 yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging 13.4 yards per reception. He signed with the Redskins as a free agent in 2012 and in four years there has played in 58 games (starting 56) and has caught 297 passes for 3,508 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 11.8 yards per reception. In 2013, he recorded an impressive 113 catch, 1,346 yard year with Washington. Also, defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons with the Colts and gave them good play, but his contract was such that they parted ways with him last offseason. He played in 26 games for the Colts (starting 23) in those two seasons, recording 47 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and six passes defensed. This year in Washington, he has played in 16 games (starting one) and has recorded 25 tackles, two sacks, and a pass defensed.
Green Bay Packers:
No former Colts.
Seattle Seahawks:
Cornerback Marcus Burley spent the entire 2014 offseason with the Indianapolis Colts after being signed to the practice squad and a few days later to a reserve/futures contract. During training camp and preseason with the team that year, Burley really impressed, which allowed general manager Ryan Grigson was able to trade him away for a sixth round pick to the Seahawks. During the last two seasons with Seattle, Burley has played in 26 games (starting one) and has recorded 53 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and seven passes defensed.