Advertisement

Colts are signing veteran edge rusher Jacob Martin

joel a. erickson, indianapolis star
·2 min read

INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts are signing veteran edge rusher Jacob Martin to a one-year deal, a source confirmed to IndyStar, adding another player with speed to the pass rush a day after claiming rookie Isaiah Land off waivers from the Cowboys.

Martin has 16 sacks in five seasons, 10.5 of those sacks coming with the Houston Texans over three seasons from 2019 to 2021.

The 28-year-old had 2.5 sacks last season in 13 games split between the Broncos and Jets, and he likely fills a role behind Samson Ebukam at the LEO position, the same spot Land plays.

Oct 24, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is tackled by Houston Texans defensive end Jacob Martin (54) for a safety in the first half at State Farm Stadium.
Oct 24, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is tackled by Houston Texans defensive end Jacob Martin (54) for a safety in the first half at State Farm Stadium.

But Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard had already indicated the Colts weren’t sure what to expect from Land right away.

“(Land is) a guy we really liked in the draft, and just for whatever reason, we didn’t get a chance, and he ended up going undrafted and ended up in Dallas,” Ballard said. “He showed us enough that we said: ‘OK, now let’s take a shot and get him in here.’ We don’t know when he will be ready.”

Land’s lack of experience, despite an impressive preseason with the Cowboys, and the injuries the Colts suffered in training camp at the backup LEO position created a pressing need for depth, although Kwity Paye could likely slide to that spot in a pinch.

Indianapolis lost veteran Genard Avery and sixth-round rookie Titus Leo to injured reserve during the preseason, and while Land filled Leo’s developmental spot, the Colts added Martin to step into Avery’s role as a veteran speed rusher.

Martin had eight pressures in 59 snaps with the Broncos last season and 15 pressures in 90 snaps with the Jets, but he was beaten out in training camp with the Texans this preseason and became available when NFL teams reduced rosters to 53. The veteran is also a talented special teamer. Martin has played more than 200 special-teams snaps in a single season three times in his career, and the Colts likely value that contribution.

The Colts waived offensive lineman Arlington Hambright to make room on the roster for Nartin. The team also signed wide receiver Racey McMath to the practice squad, releasing cornerback Kevin Toliver II.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts are signing veteran edge rusher Jacob Martin