The Indianapolis Colts brought back a familiar face earlier in the week, signing linebacker Germaine Pratt to the practice squad.
Pratt started 12 games last season for the Colts after being signed early in the season following his release by the Las Vegas Raiders.
He also has ample experience playing in Lou Anarumo's scheme, not only from their time together last year in Indianapolis, but also with the Cincinnati Bengals.
This addition could provide the Colts with some much-needed stability at the linebacker position.
"Germaine's played really good football in this league for a while," Shane Steichen said on Wednesday, via Colts.com. "A veteran presence in that room, which will help, we've got some young guys in there. We signed him to the practice
squad; we'll get him up to speed, see where he's at this week, and then we'll go from there. But excited to get Germaine."
Pratt finished last season making 101 of his 107 tackle attempts, while in coverage, he allowed 29 completions on 45 targets, surrendering 10.2 yards per catch. Pratt had one interception and three pass breakups.
Up to this point in the year, the Colts' linebacker unit has often been picked on by opposing offenses. Missed tackles and potential alignment/assignment issues have been a part of the equation as well.
Akeem Davis-Gaither has worn the green dot, while Bryce Boettcher, Jaylon Carlies, and Austin Ajiake have rotated at the WILL position. CJ Allen's role has been relatively small.
"When you look at the whole picture, obviously, just adding a veteran presence, like I said, is big in there," added Steichen. "He's played a lot of football in this league, made a lot of plays, and anytime you can add good players to your roster you want to do that."
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Steichen weighs in on Colts' decision to bring back LB Germaine Pratt
