Last season, the Indianapolis Colts cut Ronnie Harrison at the end of the preseason, re-signed him to their practice squad and had him on the field for their final seven games, including three starts, as he eventually made his way to the active roster.
This season is starting to shape up the same way for the former Alabama safety.
The Colts released Harrison on Aug. 25 as they reduced their preseason roster to the regular-season limit. On Wednesday, Indianapolis announced Harrison had been signed for the NFL team’s practice squad.
The Colts added Harrison and cornerback Kelvin Joseph to their practice squad after placing starting cornerback JuJue Brents on injured reserve. The knee injury sustained by Brents in Indianapolis’ season-opening 29-27 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday could cause some rearrangement in the Colts’ secondary.
After 67 regular-season games as an NFL strong safety, Harrison was out of football last year until the Colts signed him halfway through training camp to play linebacker. When Indianapolis waived three-time first-team All-Pro Shaquille Leonard in November, Harrison got an opportunity to play at weakside linebacker.
Harrison intercepted a pass in the first quarter of his first game at his new position in a 27-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 26. In his third game on Dec. 10, Harrison got another interception, and he took this one back 36 yards for a touchdown with 1:31 left in the first half of 34-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Harrison switched back to strong safety and played 128 defensive snaps there in Indianapolis’ final two games of the season.
After re-signing with the Colts on March 13, Harrison worked at free safety this preseason. During Indianapolis’ three preseason games, Harrison was on the field for 68 defensive snaps and 35 special-teams plays, and he recorded five tackles on defense, three tackles on special teams, one tackle for loss and one quarterback hit.
Harrison entered the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018 as a third-round draft choice from Alabama’s 2017 CFP national-championship team.
After he started 22 games in two seasons with Jacksonville, Harrison went to the Browns in a Sept. 3, 2020, trade, just 10 days before Cleveland kicked off its season.
Harrison reached Cleveland’s starting lineup in the fifth game of the 2020 season and made an immediate impact with a 47-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 32-23 victory over the Colts. A concussion and a knee injury caused him to miss five games after reaching the starting lineup. Harrison made it back on the field for the Browns’ two playoff games.
In 2021, Harrison played in 12 games and started 11 in the Cleveland secondary before an ankle injury caused him to miss the final five games.
Harrison played in 16 games, with five starts, for the Browns in 2022.
In 74 NFL regular-season games, with 48 starts, Harrison has 243 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, seven interceptions and two fumble recoveries while on the field for 2,563 defensive snaps and 486 special-teams plays. He also has played in two postseason games.
The Colts continue their 2024 season against the Green Bay Packers at noon CDT Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
