Colts Activate Clayton Geathers from PUP, Waive Joshua Perry

The Indianapolis Colts have activated starting safety Clayton Geathers from the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List. They also waived outside linebacker Joshua Perry and released Vontarrius Dora from the practice squad.

Geathers originally suffered a concussion and injured his neck last November against the Tennessee Titans. He may now be making his long-awaited return to the field against the divisional rival next week.

Geathers underwent surgery for a bulging disc this March after the injury failed to heal on its own. He was on PUP all of training camp and the preseason and was placed on the regular season PUP list to begin the regular season. He has been practicing for a few weeks now, ramping up his workload gradually.

Head coach Chuck Pagano stated that he hoped to have Geathers back on the field following the Colts’ bye week this week in time to host the Titans next week for Week 12.

Unfortunately, the Colts lost rookie first-round pick Malik Hooker for the season several weeks ago to a knee injury. He would have lined up next to Geathers in the starting lineup at free safety, forming one of the better safety tandems in the league. Now, Geathers will likely line up next to a combination of Darius Butler and Matthias Farley.

Geathers is a pure strong safety, and Butler is a free safety. Farley is a strong safety as well, but he has played well enough this season to warrant staying on the field.

Although the Colts have activated Geathers, it’s no indicator that he will start in Week 12, although the extra time does improve his chances. They will likely get his feet wet like they did with offensive lineman Denzelle Good last week.