:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68754572/618297460.0.jpg)
The Indianapolis Colts announced on Monday that the team has signed quarterback Jalen Morton and veteran wide receiver J.J. Nelson to reserve/future contracts respectively.
Regarding Morton, the 6’3”, 237 pound quarterback from Prairie View A&M was previously signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Green Bay Packers following the 2020 NFL Draft.
Collegiately, Morton played in 34 career games (23 starts) at Prairie View A&M from 2015-19 and completed 372-of-695 passes for 5,237 yards with 42 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,579 yards and 22 touchdowns and tallied four receptions for 29 yards and one touchdown.
He can apparently throw a football 100 yards, and regardless of whether that’s actually true or just folklore, he does appear to have a pretty big arm:
Prairie View QB Jalen Morton shows off huge arm by throwing it 64 yards flat-footed. pic.twitter.com/gCgE210V1b
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) March 22, 2020
Morton joins Jacob Eason, as the only quarterbacks currently on the Colts roster.
Meanwhile, Nelson was originally a 2015 5th round pick of the Arizona Cardinals.
The 28 year old has 85 career receptions for 1,475 receiving yards (17.4 ypr. avg.) and 11 touchdown receptions during 58 games (16 starts). Nelson’s best season came in 2016, when he caught 34 receptions for 568 receiving yards (16.7 ypr. avg.) and 6 touchdown receptions in 15 games (6 starts) for Arizona.
Nelson is diminutive at 5’10”, 160 pounds, but has dangerous deep speed—having run a blistering fast 4.28 forty yard dash at the 2015 NFL Combine.
He could theoretically be additional depth as a downfield insurance policy to soon-to-be third-year wideout Parris Campbell, who’s been plagued with injuries, as another speedy wide receiver who could help stretch the field for the Colts.
The Colts worked out Nelson in early November of this past season, and while no contract was reached, it’s clear that Indianapolis remained interested in him—having now struck a deal.
It’s worth noting that the Colts also worked out quarterback Bryan Scott, formerly of the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos (new Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks coach Scott Milanovich’s old team), as well as wide receivers John Humphrey and Michael Walker:
Colts are working out former Spring League Most Valuable Player quarterback Bryan Scott today, according to a league source. Set records at Occidental College, has previously tried out for Rams, Chiefs and Falcons
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) February 1, 2021