Colts Sign Another Former Anarumo Star

The Indianapolis Colts entered the regular season with an edge group that lacked fanfare, and now, five weeks in, things aren't getting any better.

Colts defensive lineman Micheal Clemons recently landed on the Injured Reserve list with a toe injury, and starter Arden Key is now expected to miss at least a few weeks as well with a hamstring injury.

The Colts announced on Wednesday that they signed free-agent edge defender Carl Lawson to the practice squad and released tight end Kenny Fletcher Jr. from the practice squad.

The Colts put Lawson and a group of free-agent edge rushers through a workout on Wed., Sept. 23. They also worked out edge defender Eric Watts on Monday, and Jah Joyner and Cam Sample on Tuesday.

Lawson (6'2", 260, 31 years old) was drafted in the fourth round in 2017 out of Auburn by the Cincinnati Bengals. He spent his final two years there with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who now holds the same title in Indianapolis.

Lawson has also spent time with the New York Jets (2021-23), Dallas Cowboys (2024), and Baltimore Ravens (2025). In 90 career games (34 starts), Lawson has 135 tackles (32 for loss), 32.0 sacks, 122 QB hits, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovered.

He has not played a full season since 2022, appearing in just 22 games over the past three years.

Currently on the roster, the Colts have Key, Laiatu Latu, Jaylahn Tuimoloau, Caden Curry, and George Gumbs Jr., with Mitchell Melton on the practice squad.

Following Key's injury last Sunday, Tuimoloau played a season-high 34 snaps and notched a tackle and a quarterback hit. Curry also played a season-high 15 snaps and added a tackle.

Curry and Gumbs are rookie draft picks for the Colts. Curry has played in each of the Colts' four games so far, seeing 34 defensive snaps and 72 on special teams. He has eight tackles. Gumbs has yet to be active for any of the Colts' regular-season games.

Key has eight tackles this season, 0.5 sacks, three quarterback hits, and one forced fumble.

Without Key, whose 68.7 pass-rush grade is the best among Colts edge rushers, according to Pro Football Focus, the Colts may need to blitz more often to generate pressure, as their four-man rush will be even weaker.

The Colts currently rank 25th in the NFL in blitz frequency at 21.7%, according to TruMedia. Their nine sacks on the season are tied for 14th in the NFL.