The Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts signed free agent cornerback Xavier Rhodes on Thursday, adding another potentially key piece to their defense.
Rhodes agreed to a one-year deal, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Indianapolis has not yet announced the deal.
The seven-year veteran has spent his entire career with Minnesota after the Vikings took him in the first round of the 2013 draft. He was selected to three Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro in 2017 when he had 56 tackles and two interceptions.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard has made a concerted effort to upgrade the defense this season. Last week, he sent a first-round draft pick to San Francisco for All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. Ballard added another big body Wednesday by signing another former 49ers defensive tackle, Sheldon Day.
Rhodes joins the Colts after finishing last season with a career-high 63 tackles but with no interceptions for the first time since his rookie season. He could serve as a replacement for starting cornerback Pierre Desir, who signed with the New York Jets last weekend after being released by the Colts.
Rhodes has started 97 of 104 games and has 372 tackles and 10 interceptions in his career.
The move comes a day after the Colts added another piece to their defense on Wednesday by signing Sheldon Day.
He’s the second former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle to join the Colts since free agency opened last week. The Colts acquired All-Pro DeForest Buckner in a trade last week.
The 6-foot-1, 285-pound Day has played in 56 games in four seasons with Jacksonville and San Francisco. He has 53 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and six sacks. The Indianapolis native was originally taken by the Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2016 draft. He was the runner-up for Indiana’s Mr. Football Award in 2011.
