Indianapolis Colts: Cromartie Deal Hints Extent of Davis Injury
By Erik Lambert
The Indianapolis Colts haven’t betrayed much on the extent of how injured star cornerback Vontae Davis is, but a recent move says plenty.
The Pro Bowler was declared week-to-week with an ankle injury by head coach Chuck Pagano. Of course that left the extent of how severe the ailment is to a cloudy haze of mystery. Many believe Davis can still be back in time for the start of the regular season, but it seems the Colts might have a different feeling. That came through when they reached an agreement on a one-year deal to sign veteran cornerback Antonio Cromartie.
The Colts announce they have agreed to terms with CB Antonio Cromartie
— Bet Chicago Sports (@BetChiSports) August 23, 2016
Antonio Cromartie certainly no stranger to #Colts fans: He was 1st player to intercept Peyton Manning 3 times in one game. (Nov 2007)
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) August 23, 2016
The #Colts are planning on CB Vontae Davis (ankle damage) will miss games to start the 2016 season. Cromartie helps make up for his loss
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 23, 2016
Why Indy signed Antonio Cromartie: CB Vontae Davis has ligament damage in ankle, expected to miss at least first month of season, per source
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 23, 2016
Cromartie is a long-time veteran with experience in a 3-4 defense. He’s got size and ball skills that the Colts can put to good use assuming the 32-year old isn’t on the full decline yet. His underwhelming 2015 season in New York raised some fears about that possibility. Regardless it’s not like they have much choice. Cromartie was the best available on the market. He should at least keep things steady in the secondary until Davis is able to get back.
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That doesn’t mean fans will feel much better. Indianapolis faces a number of good quarterbacks to start the season including Blake Bortles, Matthew Stafford, and Philip Rivers. That’s not including the Denver Broncos who still have the formidable receiving tandem of Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Can Cromartie hold down the fort with so little time to prepare? It’s not like he has much choice. All the Colts can do is hope he’s ready to step right into the fire because that’s exactly what they’ll ask him to do.
It’s far from ideal but the Indianapolis Colts have gotten used to making adjustments and still finding ways to win. Seems the burden may be more on Andrew Luck and the offense for the first month of the season.