Indianapolis Colts cornerback Justin Walley is getting another chance to make a significant impact after his rookie season was stolen due to a knee injury.
INDIANAPOLIS — There was arguably no Indianapolis Colts player garnering more internal hype last offseason than rookie Justin Walley.
After the Colts used the 80th overall pick in the third round of the draft on the 5'10", 190-pound cornerback and got him in the building, Walley began capturing attention.
Coaches lauded his effort, intelligence, coverage skills, and playmaking. The media finally got a chance to see what all the fuss was about when training camp began, when Walley ran exclusively with the first-team defense.
And then, disaster struck.
On Aug. 5 in Owings Mills, MD, during a joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens, Walley ran step for step on a complex route by Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman before breaking up the pass. A few minutes later, Wally was lost for the season with a torn ACL.
The injury was a sign of things to come for the Colts, as their cornerback room became completely torpedoed by injuries. Nine different corners played at least 100 snaps for the Colts. Walley almost certainly would've been a thousand-snap player as a rookie, but instead, he played zero.
However, now, Walley is physically recovered, back on the field with his teammates during OTAs, and embracing the opportunity heading into Year 2.
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Justin Walley (27) defends Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (13) on Monday, July 28, 2025, during training camp held at Grand Park in Westfield. Mandatory Credit: Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar“I feel great. I’m blessed – back on the field, back going. That’s all I could ask for,” Walley recently told reporters. “I talked to the trainers the other day. I kind of feel better than I felt at this point last year. My strength went up in both of my legs. Overall, I feel better – my whole body.”
While Walley was in line to start last year on the outside opposite Charvarius Ward Sr., this year, he's likely to move inside to replace Kenny Moore II while Ward and Sauce Gardner cover the boundaries.
"I think this year they may emphasize me being on the inside a little bit more," Walley said. "But wherever they put me at, I'm ready to go."
If you're Walley, it may be difficult to know what to expect. The hype was palpable in his first several months in the NFL, and when it's coming from coaches, that's even more meaningful.
Now, after that rookie season was taken due to injury, Walley now has the opportunity to replace a mentor in Moore and someone who he studied before even becoming teammates.
For Walley, he's keeping the main thing, the main thing and focusing on what he can control.
“Really, the same expectations I’ve had my whole life," Walley said. "Come in there, be detailed, do my job, have fun and bring some energy.”
