Colts Sign Former Broncos DB Tony Carter

Aug 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback

Tony Carter

(32) during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 21-16. Mandatory Credit:

Chris Humphreys

-USA TODAY Sports

Reinforcements are coming for the Colts secondary and special teams. The Indianapolis Colts signed ex-Broncos DB Tony Carter and promote safety Dewey McDonald to the active roster among other roster moves.

The Colts added Tony Carter today. He was a member of the Broncos for the past four seasons. The seven-year veteran’s role in Denver was mostly as a sub-package defensive back and special teams player. He takes over as a 4th or even 5th string cornerback. A position that was previously solidified by Jalil Brown. Brown is now on the IR and rookie, D’Joun Smith still on the IR-DTR list.

For his career, Carter has played in 42 games – three as a starter for Denver – logging 44 tackles, 24 pass deflections and three interceptions. Carter’s career season came in 2012. Carter played in 15 games and had 23 tackles, two interceptions – one was a 40-yard touchdown – and a 65-yard fumble return for a touchdown. In 2013, Tony Carter started two games for the Broncos in a diminished role and tallied 12 tackles and an interception. Carter also had a 20 fumble recovery for a touchdown in 2014.

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The signing is a savvy move by general manager Ryan Grigson. By adding Carter, the Colts have a veteran presence on special teams and who can play on passing downs in a pinch. Additionally, Carter is an opportunist on the field as evidenced by his three scores in limited minutes.

At 5-9 177lbs., Carter is an undersized CB with great quickness in and out of cuts. He has an aggressive nature when the ball is in the air and can give up a big play in an attempt to make a big play of his own. Carter has shown signs of being able to raise his game to the next level but has yet to make that leap in the past three seasons. At the very least, this signing is a low-risk-high-reward scenario for the Colts. It is smarter for the Colts solidify their defensive backfield with veterans instead of guys off the street when heading into the middle of the season.

Second-year safety Dewey McDonald was promoted from the practice squad. His addition adds further depth at safety while the Colts identify the extent of Mike Adams‘ hamstring injury.

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Colt Anderson made some good open-field plays in place of Adams against New England. However, Anderson is not a long-term answer at the position. McDonald has shown potential as a speedy free safety but is likely to remain a special teams player at this point in his development. In his rookie season, McDonald played in 12 games and totaled 11 tackles.

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