Colts Reportedly Sign Former Bengals CB on Monday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Sep 22, 2025 12:06 PM ET

Following Sunday’s dominant 41–20 win over the Tennessee Titans, the Indianapolis Colts moved to bolster their secondary by turning to a respected veteran with big-play ability.

Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz revealed on Monday the Colts are reportedly signing former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton, who briefly signed with the Miami Dolphins during the summer but was cut before the NFL season.

The addition comes one day after nickel corner Kenny Moore exited with a calf injury, creating an immediate need behind starters Xavien Howard and Charvarius Ward.

Hilton, a 31-year-old slot specialist, reunites with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, his coordinator during four seasons in Cincinnati.

Sources: The #Colts are signing former #Bengals CB Mike Hilton.

Indy lands an accomplished, respected veteran corner with 13 career INTs and 66 TFLs to help boost its secondary. pic.twitter.com/5PpFU3Utyp
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 22, 2025

Hilton was an undrafted free agent in 2016 after four years at Ole Miss, where he was named second-team All-SEC in 2015, finishing his college career with 226 combined tackles, 27 tackles for a loss, 26 pass deflections, six interceptions, four forced fumbles and 3.5 sacks in 49 games.

After brief stops on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ roster and New England Patriots’ practice squad in 2016, he landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he earned a full-time role in 2017.

Over 123 NFL games, Hilton has totaled 520 tackles (396 solo), 11.5 sacks, 13 interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and 56 passes defended, along with four forced fumbles and six recovered.

Last season with the Bengals, he was given a run defense grade of 91.7 (first among NFL CBs) and a 75.8 overall grade (24th out of 222 cornerbacks), according to Pro Football Focus.

In 2021, he parlayed his slot-corner versatility into a four-year, $24 million contract with Cincinnati, helping lead the Bengals to a surprise trip to Super Bowl LVI. Now, he's been given another shot to prove his worth for a 3-0 Colts team that next travels on the road to play the Los Angeles Rams (2-1) in Week 4.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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