Colts sign cornerback Antonio Cromartie

The Indianapolis Colts announced this evening that they have agreed to terms with cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

Cromartie is a four-time Pro Bowler and was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2007 while with the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers drafted him in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft and he spent the first four years of his career there, then spent the next four years with the New York Jets. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals for the 2014 season before heading back to New York to play in 2015. In his ten-year career, the 32-year old has appeared in 158 games (missing only two contests in ten years) and has recorded 403 tackles, 115 passes defensed, 31 interceptions (three returned for scores), and two forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown). He has also contributed on special teams as a return man, and his 31 interceptions rank third among active players (his 115 pass breakups rank seventh).

The Colts had Cromartie in for a workout today and obviously decided he’s in good enough shape still to help them out. They desperately needed to address the corner position, as Vontae Davis is week-to-week with an ankle injury, Patrick Robinson is day-to-day with a groin injury, Darius Butler and Jalil Brown are nursing injuries, and D’Joun Smith is being brought back from injury slowly. Head coach Chuck Pagano called the position “scary” earlier today, and it was clear the team needed to do something about it. The signing of Cromartie is a significant addition that could give them some breathing room right now with a very thin group of corners.