Latest news with #Wohler
Indianapolis Star
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Colts place another 2025 draft pick on injured reserve
Hunter Wohler's intriguing rookie season has ended before it could really take off. The Colts' seventh-round rookie safety/linebacker is headed to injured reserve, along with offensive tackle Blake Freeland and linebacker Jacob Phillips. Indianapolis announced the moves along with the additions of four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard as well as linebackers Jake Chaney and Joseph Vaughn. MORE: Colts sign 4-time Pro Bowler to injury-decimated cornerback room Wohler suffered a Lisfranc injury that led to his trip to IR, a source told IndyStar. The rookie had worked into a couple of roles on new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's unit, including the backup strong safety to Nick Cross as well as a dime linebacker role in the steady rotation the team plans to use at the position to complement Zaire Franklin. Since Wohler's designation comes in the preseason, he cannot return this season. Daniel Scott, a fifth-round pick in 2023 who has missed the past two seasons to injury, now figures to be the backup at strong safety to Cross. Cross missed all of last week with a hip flexor. The Colts have a few issues to work out in the secondary, as they lost projected starting outside cornerback and third-round Minnesota rookie Justin Walley to a season-ending ACL tear. The other options to start opposite Charvarius Ward were Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents, who have missed multiple weeks with hamstring issues. Undrafted rookie Jonathan Edwards started Saturday's preseason game against the Packers but exited with a brain injury. 'We're working through that,' coach Shane Steichen said after the game of the cornerback injuries. 'Obviously, we've got some injuries there that we've got to figure out there, for sure.' The team responded on Monday by signing Howard, a four-time Pro Bowler and one-time first-team All-Pro who has twice led the league in interceptions. Howard is 32 and did not play last season after coming off of a foot injury the previous year. Colts news: Colts sign 4-time Pro Bowler to injury-decimated cornerback room Freeland was competing with fourth-round Iowa State rookie Jalen Travis for the team's swing tackle spot but broke his leg and had to be carted off during Saturday's game.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler leaves Colts' preseason game early with injury
Colts injury update: Rookie S Hunter Wohler out. What we know Former Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler recorded two tackles during the Indianapolis Colts' NFL preseason Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. He played just one drive during the contest before leaving the game with a foot injury. The ailment halts the former Badger's rapid progress since joining the Colts. The former seventh-round pick (No. 232 overall) delivered a team-high nine tackles (six solo) during the Colts' preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens last week. He was also a standout from the team's joint practice against the Ravens, notching two highlight interceptions, including one against two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. Wohler is currently listed as the Colts' backup strong safety behind three-year veteran Nick Cross. While the Former Badger's injury may put a temporary halt to his push for immediate playing time, his spot on the 53-man roster shouldn't be in question. At the very least, Wohler will be a day-one contributor on special teams. Stay tuned later this week as the severity of Wohler's foot injury is made clear. The immediate question is whether he'll be able to suit up for the Colts' preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals on Aug. 23. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
08-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Wisconsin standout safety stars in joint practice vs. Baltimore Ravens
Hunter went hunting. 😤 Former Wisconsin football standout safety and 2025 NFL draftee Hunter Wohler shined during the Indianapolis Colts' joint practice vs. the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday. Wohler, who the Colts selected with the No. 16 pick of the draft's seventh round (No. 232 overall), snagged a pair of interceptions in the organized exhibition. The Wisconsin native's first highlight came against two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, who rolled out to his right to toss an off-balance throw over the middle of the field. In the blink of an eye, the 6-foot-2 safety burst onto the scene to force the turnover before falling onto the turf. In a later sequence, backup quarterback Cooper Rush zipped a play-action pass over the middle to tight end Scotty Washington. Before it reached Washington's hands, a Colt tipped the ball into the air. Wohler then dove to snag the misfire for his second interception of the session. To the delight of another former Wisconsin star, it's safe to say Wohler made his presence felt. "That's how you make plays," former Badger running back Jonathan Taylor said at the joint practice. "At the end of the day, when you've got a Wisconsin Badger, they are gonna make plays." The former Wisconsin safety's performance for the Colts could bode well for his outlook during the 2025 NFL season. Wohler is currently listed at No. 2 on Indianapolis' strong safety depth chart behind Nick Cross, who recorded nearly 150 total tackles last season. As a Badger, Wohler's breakout season arrived in 2023. He logged 120 tackles, six for loss, two interceptions and six pass deflections, spearheading UW's defensive backfield alongside cornerback Ricardo Hallman. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
08-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How Wisconsin product Hunter Wohler fared in Indianapolis Colts' NFL preseason opener
Former Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler excelled during his NFL preseason debut on Thursday night. In the Indianapolis Colts' 24-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Wohler delivered a team-high nine tackles (six solo). The next-closest defender was cornerback Duke Shelley with six tackles (four solo). Wohler's breakout preseason debut follows an impressive week of performances in the Colts' joint practices against the Ravens. The standout safety notched two highlight interceptions on Tuesday, including one off two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. The Muskego, Wisconsin, native is battling for a position on the Colts' roster after they selected him in the seventh round (No. 232 overall) of the 2025 NFL draft. He was listed as the backup safety on the team's first unofficial depth chart, behind standout starters Cam Bynum and Nick Cross. Continued strong play would both cement Wohler's place on the Colts' 53-man roster, as well as elevate him as the team's primary reserve option at the position. Wohler is not the only former Badger set for a big role on the Colts this season. Offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini is the team's starting center, with all-world running back Jonathan Taylor set to lead that offensive unit. The trio of Wisconsin products will be back on the field on Saturday, Aug. 16, against the Green Bay Packers. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
06-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Colts' late Day 3 draft pick shows versatility, playmaking in joint practice vs. Ravens
One of the Colts' late Day 3 draft picks showcased his versatility and playmaking abilities in the joint practice vs. the Ravens. In the Indianapolis Colts' joint practice against the Baltimore Ravens, rookie Hunter Wohler showcased both his versatility and playmaking abilities. As noted by Nate Atkins of the Indy Star in his post-practice takeaways, with Zaire Franklin sidelined on Tuesday, Wohler found himself at linebacker against Lamar Jackson and the first team offense. As Jackson escaped the pocket, he threw the ball to the middle of the field, where Wohler was able to come away with the leaping interception. During the next series, Wohler was back at safety against the Ravens' second team offense and laid out for another interception on a tipped pass from Cameron McGrone. A seventh-round pick by the Colts this past April out of Wisconsin, Wohler was a safety at the college level. Initially, when the Colts drafted him, Wohler was announced as a linebacker, but he is now listed on the team site as a safety. But as we saw on Tuesday, under Lou Anarumo, we could see Wohler filling both roles. During more passing-heavy situations, he could see snaps at linebacker. When Anarumo was in Cincinnati, he often utilized three safety looks, which would be another way to get Wohler on the field this season. "He's been standing out all camp making plays," Shane Steichen said of Wohler. "Just a smart, cerebral player that works at it. The effort is there all the time, and when you give great effort, the ball is going to find you."
