Colts' Waiver Add Receives Generous Grade

While weathering a storm of injuries on the defensive side of the ball as they stand mere days from the start of the regular season, the Indianapolis Colts are showing they are not satisfied with seeing what their replacement-level players can do. They are aggressively adding new players to the mix.

After a bevy of additions to the secondary in recent weeks, on Wednesday, the Colts claimed veteran linebacker Chad Muma off of waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars.

With an ankle injury sidelining once-presumptive starting WILL linebacker Jaylon Carlies for at least the first four games of the season, the Colts view Muma (6'3", 239, 26 years old) as an upgrade to their depth at linebacker, who can play both WILL and MIKE as well as raise the floor of their special teams units.

Bleacher Report recently provided grades for some of the most notable NFL pickups this week since the major roster cutdowns occurred, and BR's Gary Davenport appreciated the Colts' addition of Muma, assigning it a grade of "B":

The Indianapolis Colts have dealt with injuries at the linebacker position much of the summer, and on Wednesday, the team took some steps to shore up a room that is something of a question mark behind Zaire Franklin.

Per Mike Chappell of Fox 59, the Colts were awarded fourth-year pro Chad Muma, who was waived Tuesday by the Jaguars. The 25-year-old made seven starts over three years in Jacksonville, logging 94 total tackles.

While talking to reporters, Colts general manager Chris Ballard talked up Muma's ability to contribute both on defense and special teams.

'We kept four (linebackers), knew we wanted to add another guy. We're still going to bring some other guys in,'' Ballard said. 'It's different than it was in the past. We usually kept six and dressed six in the schemes we were in. He can probably play both WILL and MIKE. He's good on (special) teams. He's had some experience playing.''

It's hardly an earth-shaking move, but with presumptive No. 2 linebacker Jaylon Carlies headed to injured reserve to open the season, Indy needed a linebacker with some NFL experience.