Following 53-man roster cuts, the Indianapolis Colts waiver activity has been announced, and the Horseshoe claimed and successfully lander former Philadelphia Eagles safety Kapena Gushiken.
Meanwhile, ex-Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Colby Wooden was claimed by the New Orleans Saints, while placekicker Blake Grupe was claimed by the New York Jets.
Regarding Gushiken, the 5,10”, 189 pound undrafted rookie safety out of Ole Miss spent this offseason with the Philadelphia Eagles. He had 5 tackles
(4 solo) in the Eagles preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens, then 5 tackles (2 solo) versus the New England Patriots, and then 6 tackles (6 solo) against the Cincinnati Bengals in Philadelphia’s recent preseason finale.
Projected as a safety/nickelback at the pro level, here’s Gushiken’s NFL.com draft profile:
Overview
Gushiken is extremely fast with above-average balance and change-of-direction quickness in man coverage. He can stay relatively sticky to routes at all three levels. He does lose track of the clues quarterbacks provide at times, which helps explain his average ball production relative to his athletic ability. He’s compact, tough and willing in run support but will still give way to size on occasion. Overall, Gushiken is scheme-diverse as a nickelback. He has enough cover talent and special-teams value to compete for a roster spot.
He had a RAS of 9.16 out of a maximum 10.0 and perhaps, of great importance to the Colts is his recorded 4.35 forty time, which is blazing fast, and will certainly play on their special teams coverage units.
Prior to claiming Gushiken, the Colts were carrying only four safeties on their 53-man active roster, having covered five at times in the past, so he’ll be a backup addition to a positional room that also includes Cam Bynum, AJ Haulcy, Hunter Wohler, and Jonathan Owens. It’ll be interesting to see who the Colts waived or placed on the injured reserve list to make extra room for Gushiken.
