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Colts pounced on the opportunity to bring back a familiar face ahead of training camp who they drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft
Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Indianapolis Colts continue to look for ways to improve their roster ahead of mandatory minicamp and training camp later this summer. 

Their latest move has them bringing a player they drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft back to Indianapolis after a year away from the team. 

Colts claim their former fifth-round pick DT Eric Johnson off waivers 


Jenna Watson USA Today Network via Indianapolis Star

The Colts drafted DT Eric Johnson in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He spent his first two seasons with the Colts before being waived during their cutdown to 53 players ahead of the 2024 season. The team hoped to get him back on their practice squad after waivers, but the New England Patriots claimed him. 

He spent all of last season with the Patriots, appearing in 11 games and recording a career high 17 tackles. The Patriots recently waived Johnson, and now he rejoins the Colts for his fourth season in the NFL. He will compete for a backup DT job on the Colts roster with the likes of 2025 sixth-round pick Tim Smith, along with Adetomiwa Adebawore and Neville Gallimore. And with a new defensive staff taking over since Johnson was with the Colts, they will all enter training camp on an even playing field. 

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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