Colts CB Xavien Howard on poor recreation: 'I knew guys need to see if I nonetheless can play' – IndyStar

INDIANAPOLIS — Xavien Howard knew groups would take a look at him in some unspecified time in the future.
The 32-year-old cornerback has been handed a stunning position with the Indianapolis Colts contemplating that he didn’t play in any respect in 2024, leaving him in search of a job deep into coaching camp in August, when the Colts lastly scooped him up and put Howard instantly within the beginning lineup.
NFL groups weren’t going to avoid Howard merely due to his historical past as a four-time Professional Bowler, and on Sunday, Sean Payton remoted Howard early and sometimes, repeatedly going after the veteran starter with success.
“They attacked me with quite a lot of fast stuff, fast slants and stuff like ‘now’ routes,” Howard stated. “I knew a group was going to assault me early on within the season. I have been off somewhat minute, so I knew guys need to see if I nonetheless can play.”
Howard couldn’t rise to the problem in opposition to the Broncos.
According to Pro Football Reference, Howard gave up seven catches, allowed an early landing, missed a key sort out and drew three protection flags in 5 snaps on one Denver drive, main to a different landing for the Broncos.  
“On this aspect, simply taking accountability, I simply gotta do my job and work on my method,” Howard stated.
Indianapolis didn’t signal Howard to play a job that distinguished.
The Colts forked over $54 million in three years to signal Charvarius Ward this season, bringing within the former 49er to be the No. 1 cornerback coveted by defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
Ward was unavailable Sunday as a consequence of a concussion, forcing Anarumo to play Howard greater than he would have favored. Howard performed 66.7% of the snaps within the opener; he performed all however two of the protection’s 58 snaps in opposition to Denver.
“With (Ward) being down, we knew X’s snaps would go up considerably, and we knew that it was going to take a minute to get his legs beneath him,” Anarumo stated. “He made quite a lot of good performs on Sunday. Actually, all people noticed those that didn’t go so effectively for him.”
Indianapolis selected to stay with Howard as a substitute of utilizing undrafted free agent Johnathan Edwards, who made the group with a powerful camp spent enjoying principally in opposition to the Colts’ starters as a consequence of accidents to Justin Walley, Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents.
The Colts consider Howard will proceed to get higher as he will get acclimated to enjoying on a weekly foundation once more.
“I’ve acquired quite a lot of religion in his talents,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen stated. “He is been participant on this league for a very long time. We’ll get it corrected and we’ll go from there.”
Howard isn’t going to have a lot time to ease into the season.
Even when Ward is out of the concussion protocol and out there in opposition to Tennessee, NFL groups will sometimes proceed to assault a weak spot within the protection as soon as it seems on tape, particularly if there’s a participant like Ward on the opposite aspect to keep away from.
However Howard was capable of maintain up effectively in opposition to the Dolphins, and Anarumo has been telling him ever since Sunday that he must shake off an unpleasant efficiency in opposition to the Broncos and reset.
Indianapolis goes to want a greater model of Howard going ahead.
“That is how I work, man,” Howard stated. “I really feel like as a cornerback, it’s a must to have a short-term reminiscence, identical to the quarterbacks. Performs are going to occur. Simply acquired to maneuver on and maintain going.”
Extra assessments are coming.
Joel A. Erickson covers the Colts all season. Get extra protection on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.

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