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HOUSTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 04: Head coach Shane Steichen of the Indianapolis Colts watches players warm up prior to the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
The Indianapolis Colts added an intriguing prospect to their linebacker group on Tuesday with the signing of Devin Veresuk.
Veresuk was picked second overall in the 2025 Canadian Football League Draft by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. As a rookie, the 24-year-old registered 66 tackles, two sacks, one interception — which he returned for a touchdown — and a blocked punt for a touchdown.
Why Did the Colts Sign Devin Veresuk?
Adding Veresuk on a reserve/futures deal is part of a mission by Colts general manager Chris Ballard to get younger and faster on the defense.
Veresuk made an instant impact for the Tiger-Cats, playing 18 games (15 starts) and winning the Frank M. Gibson Trophy as the most outstanding rookie from the Eastern Conference.
He’d previously worked out for NFL teams, including the New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans, and participated in a pro day at the University of Buffalo where he posted a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, 10’04” broad jump, and a 36” vertical.
Prior to that, Veresuk played U Sports football for the Windsor Lancers from 2020-2024. In 22 games, he had 199 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
What Linebackers Do the Colts Have on Their Roster?
Linebacker is a position of emphasis for the Colts, who went 8-9 under coach Shane Steichen and missed the playoffs for the fifth straight season.
Germaine Pratt is a free agent, and Zaire Franklin is a potential cap casualty after he struggled to replicate his 2024 All-Pro season. The 29-year-old Franklin recorded 125 tackles and two sacks in 17 games but ranked 87th out of 88 players at his position with a 38.4 rating, according to Pro Football Focus.
By comparison, the 29-year-old Pratt had 101 tackles and one interception but was PFF’s 38th-ranked linebacker with a 63 rating.
While the offseason has only just begun, the Colts have just four linebackers under contract for next season besides Veresuk and Franklin: Austin Ajiake, Jaylon Carlies, John Bullock, and Joseph Vaughn.
Douglas Bonjour is a breaking news contributor covering the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and WNBA for Heavy. He is also a contributing writer for The Associated Press and has worked for Point Spreads, the Connecticut Post and Hearst Connecticut Media as a reporter and editor. More about Douglas Bonjour
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