Indianapolis Colts sign Ronnie Harrison to practice squad

The Indianapolis Colts have signed former Alabama star Ronnie Harrison to their practice squad, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He spent the last three seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

Harrison started his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars after they selected him in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent two seasons there and started all 22 of 28 games in which he appeared before the Jaguars traded him to the Cleveland Browns in 2020.

In three years with the Browns, Harrison totaled 120 tackles and two interceptions across 39 games, including 23 starts. Cleveland cut him after the preseason, and the Colts signed him earlier this month. They waived him just ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, but agreed to bring him back as part of the practice squad.

Ronnie Harrison spent three years at Alabama from 2015-17, helping the Crimson Tide to two national championships. He was a first team All-SEC selection as a junior as he totaled 74 tackles, 2.5 sacks and three interceptions before forgoing his eligibility to go to the NFL.

The Colts underwent major changes this offseason. Shane Steichen is now in as head coach and Anthony Richardson is set to be the starting quarterback. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, he beat out Gardner Minshew for the starting job and will get the first reps in the season opener against the Jaguars.

Colts GM Chris Ballard on the Jonathan Taylor situation: ‘We’re gonna work through it’

Indianapolis will be without one of its top playmakers for at least the first four games. Jonathan Taylor requested a trade, and the Colts set a deadline of Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. ET to find a partner. However, that deadline came and went, meaning Taylor will start the year on the PUP list. Per NFL rules, he’ll miss the first four games even if he’s traded during that time.

The relationship between Taylor and the franchise is certainly rocky at the moment. General manager Chris Ballard addressed where things stand on Wednesday, pointing out “relationships are repairable” as things go forward.

He noted it’s not an ideal spot for either side, but the goal is to push forward and find some sort of resolution.

“The situation sucks. It sucks for the Colts, it sucks for Jonathan Taylor, and it sucks for the fans. It’s where we’re at, and we’re gonna work through it,” Ballard said, according to The Athletic’s Zak Keefer.