Tag: Khari Willis

Indianapolis Colts safety Khari Willis (37) pressures Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) who scrambles and throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Marvin Jones (11) during the third quarter of the game on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. The Indianapolis Colts Versus Jacksonville Jaguars On Sunday Jan 9 2022 Tiaa Bank Field In Jacksonville Fla

Colts S Khari Willis announces retirement

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts safety Khari Willis announced Wednesday that he is retiring after three seasons in the NFL.

“With much prayer and deliberation, I have elected to officially retire from the NFL as I endeavor to devote the remainder of my life to the further advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Willis wrote on social media.

“I thank all of my family, friends and those who have supported me on this journey thus far and I look forward to your continued support through the next phase of my life.”

Willis, 26, recorded 63 tackles, two interceptions, 1.5 sacks and one fumble recovery in 11 games (10 starts) last season.

He has 219 tackles, four interceptions and 3.5 sacks in 39 career games (33 starts) since being selected by the Colts in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

“Khari’s character, leadership, and professionalism will be missed in our locker room, as will his play on Sundays,” Colts coach Frank Reich said. “I admire and respect his decision to transition into the next stage of his life and ministry and my prayers will always be with him.”

Rodney McLeod, Armani Watts, Julian Blackmon, Brandon Facyson and 2022 third-round pick Nick Cross are also listed as safeties on the roster.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Darius Leonard (53) celebrates after making an interception Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, during a game against the New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts’ Darius Leonard, two others activated from COVID list

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard, wide receiver Zach Pascal and safety Khari Willis were activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday.

Quarterback Carson Wentz and five other active roster players remain on the COVID-19 list for the Colts (9-6), who will host the Las Vegas Raiders (8-7) on Sunday.

Leonard, 26, was placed on the list before Indianapolis’ 22-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals last Saturday.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro, Leonard has 107 tackles, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three interceptions in 14 games this season.

Leonard has 523 tackles, 15 sacks, 15 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries in 56 career games with the Colts.

Pascal, 27, has 36 catches for 369 yards with three touchdowns in 14 games this season.

Willis, 25, has 54 tackles, two interceptions and 1.5 sacks in nine games (eight starts) this season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) runs with the ball after the catch while Indianapolis Colts safety Khari Willis (37) defends in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Colts activate S Khari Willis, put C Ryan Kelly on COVID list

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Indianapolis Colts activated starting safety Khari Willis from injured reserve and placed center Ryan Kelly on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Saturday.

In addition, Indianapolis waived safety Josh Jones.

Willis went on injured reserve with a calf injury after the Week 8 loss to the Tennessee Titans. His absence meant the Colts played the past month without both of their starting safeties. Julian Blackmon has a torn Achilles and is out for the season.

Willis, 25, has played in seven games (six starts) this season with 38 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three passes defensed, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. In three seasons, with the Colts, he’s appeared in 35 games (29 starts).

Kelly, 28, was the Colts’ first-round pick in the 2016 draft. The two-time Pro Bowl selection has started all 78 games in his career, including 12 this season.

Jones, 27, has split time between the practice squad and active roster this season, appearing in six games with five tackles. A second-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2017, he’s also played for Dallas Cowboys (2019) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2020).

The Colts (6-6) play the Texans (2-9) in Houston on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Dec 13, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Colts OG Quenton Nelson ruled out vs. Dolphins

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts left guard Quenton Nelson will see his streak of consecutive starts come to a halt on Sunday against the host Miami Dolphins.

Nelson, 25, is nursing an ankle injury and has been ruled out for the contest. The three-time Pro Bowl selection started 51 consecutive games to begin his career after being taken by the Colts with the sixth overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Defensive end Kwity Paye (hamstring), safety Khari Willis (groin) and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (ankle) also have been ruled out Sunday’s game for the Colts (0-3). All three sustained their injuries during Indianapolis’ 25-16 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Right tackle Braden Smith (foot/thumb) will also miss Sunday’s contest against the Dolphins (1-2). He was injured in the Colts’ season-opening 28-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 12.

–Field Level Media

Dec 27, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron (85) makes a catch against Indianapolis Colts strong safety Khari Willis (37) during the third quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Colts rule out S Willis, CB Ya-Sin; put OT Castonzo on IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts safety Khari Willis, cornerback Rock Ya-Sin and offensive tackle Will Holden have been ruled out for this weekend’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team announced Friday.

The Colts also placed offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo on injured reserve and signed center Joey Hunt to the 53-man roster from the practice squad.

Indianapolis (10-5) needs a victory against the Jaguars (1-14) on Sunday plus a loss from either the Cleveland Browns (10-5), Baltimore Ravens (10-5), Miami Dolphins (10-5) or Tennessee Titans (10-5) to make the AFC playoffs.

Willis, 24, sustained a concussion during the Colts’ 28-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The second-year safety has 85 tackles, two interceptions, two sacks and one forced fumble in 14 games this season.

Ya-Sin, 24, is also dealing with the effects of a concussion. He has recorded 45 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble in 13 games this season.

Holden, 27, sustained an ankle injury versus the Steelers. He was starting in place of Castonzo, who had been hobbled by an ankle injury.

A first-round draft pick by the Colts in 2011, Castonzo has been an anchor of the offensive line, playing in 144 games (all starts) over 10 seasons.

The Jaguars’ lone win in 2020 came at the expense of Indianapolis. Jacksonville posted a 27-20 victory on Sept. 13.

–Field Level Media