Indianapolis Colts: Five Players on Bubble Watch
By Dave McKee
Oct 5, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts fullback
Kyle Juszczyk(44) blocks Colts linebacker
Henoc Muamba(51) in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Colts won, 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Former CFL standout Henoc Muamba came to the Colts in 2014 as part of GM Ryan Grigson’s “no stone unturned” policy. Since his arrival little progress has been made outside of special teams play. The question is, can he do enough in preseason to remain on the active roster this season?
When Henoc Muamba was signed from the CFL many fans – including myself – believed that Grigson had struck pay dirt again. The hopes were that his production would be akin to starting ILB Jerrell Freeman who was also a former CFL player. Granted, the transition from CFL to NFL is not an easy one too make. Some players can transition easily while it may take time for others. Apparently for Muamba it takes time.
In 2014, Muamba totaled 4 tackles in 13 games backing up starters Freeman and D’Qwell Jackson. This is a far cry from the 171 tackles, four sacks and an interception during his three seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Phillip B. Wilson of Scout.com recently provided a breakdown of the unofficial depth chart and explained the uphill battle Muamba is facing heading into the preseason matchups:
"D’Qwell Jackson and Jerrell Freeman are the inside linebackers. Nate Irving, who has participated in just walk-throughs at camp as he recovers from offseason knee surgery, is listed as a backup along with rookie Amarlo Herrera, a sixth-round pick out of Georgia. That Herrera is slotted as a backup is noteworthy considering that’s ahead of last year’s second-string backer, Henoc Muamba, one of the team’s Canadian Football League finds."
With Nate Irving getting back into game shape and a sixth round pick ahead of him on the depth chart there is little room for error if Muamba wants to stay on the active roster. He will get his first opportunity to show his improvement against Philadelphia on Sunday. If he does not make the cut there is still a chance he makes it through waivers to the practice squad. Then again, there are only 10 spots on the practice squad roster. His priority is to make an impact now if he wants to remain with the Indianapolis Colts by preseason’s end.