Colts 2016 player preview: Linebacker Josh McNary

The Indianapolis Colts will report to training camp on July 26 with their 90-man roster, which will be cut down to 53 players by the end of the preseason.  To pass the time until camp, we're taking a look at every player on the Colts' 90-man roster.  Today, we're looking at linebacker Josh McNary.

Who is he?

Josh McNary was signed by the Colts as a free agent in 2013 out of the Army.  He played four years for Army's football team and finished as the school's all-time leader in sacks (28) and tackles for loss (49), also finishing as the only player in school history to post multiple double-digit sack seasons.  After his playing career wrapped up in 2010, he served two years with the Army.  The Colts signed him in 2013 as his service commitment was up, and McNary impressed early on.  After the preseason ended he was signed to the team's practice squad, and then midway through the season he was promoted to the active roster.  He played in five games in 2013 and then saw his role significantly increased in 2014, as he played in 15 games and started four of them.  During the playoffs that year, however, he was charged with rape as the Colts placed him on the Commissioner's Exempt List, and his contract expired the following offseason.  He was found not guilty on all counts, and Colts GM Ryan Grigson called him up, found out he was still in shape, worked him out, and then signed him.  During the 2015 season, McNary played in 14 games and started one of them.

What is his role?

McNary can seem like the forgotten man at linebacker, as it's easy to forget that just two years ago the Colts were really high on him.  He's listed simply as a linebacker on the Colts' roster (the only one without an inside or outside designation) and can play all of the linebacker roles, but he's very likely to be competing at inside linebacker, where there's the most competition.  All five of his career starts in the NFL have been inside and he figures to compete with Nate Irving and Sio Moore for the spot, though he's got an uphill battle to supplant both of them.  It's more likely that he'll provide depth, where his versatility could be a factor in him trying to win a depth role.

What are his chances?

Though he'll compete for a starting spot, his most likely role will be as a depth player at linebacker.