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According to Stephen Holder of The Indianapolis Star, the Indianapolis Colts are re-investing in their own by re-signing free agent cornerback Pierre Desir to a one-year deal.
Desir bounced around the league between the Cleveland Browns (2014-’15), then-San Diego Chargers (2016) and Seattle Seahawks (2016) before landing with the Colts last year. The Colts claimed him off of waivers during preseason roster cuts.
Desir played sparingly until injuries to, and the ultimate release of, Vontae Davis. Then, Desir started six of the nine games that he appeared in, pulling down his first career interception and a career-high 7 pass breakups.
Pierre Desir has been a nice starter for the Colts (not surprised) and had a great rep here than ended in an interception. He played it like a receiver. pic.twitter.com/9OHeISo4u8
— Ian Wharton (@NFLFilmStudy) November 15, 2017
Desir was lost for the season during Week 13 when he tore a pectoral muscle and was placed on Injured Reserve.
Bringing Desir back is important for a couple of reasons. First, the Colts are currently pretty thin at cornerback, with Quincy Wilson and Kenny Moore being the only two on the roster that you could put on the field with any confidence (Nate Hairston as well, but he is the nickel). Second, Desir and his former fellow starter Rashaan Melvin were both free agents this spring. With Melvin signing off to the Oakland Raiders, bringing Desir back meant that the Colts were satisfied with his performance in 2017, and believe he still has a lot more to offer. It also means that they think Desir is a fit in the Colts’ new 4-3 defense under Matt Eberflus, which may have corners playing more zone coverage than man.
They are getting a guy who actually has experience on this team rather than having to reach for other free agents or gamble on draft picks to have to play heavily from Day 1.
In 33 career games, Desir has started 13, and has 81 tackles, 15 pass breakups and 1 interception.