Colts' Xavien Howard Retires Due to Season Struggles

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Xavien Howard retired on Wednesday, as announced by the team. The 32-year-old, a two-time All-Pro, was absent from practice earlier in the day due to personal reasons. Shortly after, the Colts placed him on the reserve/retired list. Howard had signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal with the Colts in August but struggled in the four games he played for the team before deciding to retire.

In a statement on Instagram, Howard expressed his gratitude to the Miami Dolphins for drafting him and giving him the opportunity to play professional football. He also thanked the Indianapolis Colts for allowing him to pursue his dream, which he now feels has changed. Howard emphasized that he is prioritizing his family over football, leading to his decision to retire.

The Colts had signed Howard to address injuries in their cornerback lineup. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who had previously coached Howard in Miami, believed in his interception skills despite Howard not playing in the NFL the previous year. Howard had 29 interceptions from 2016 to 2025, the second most in the league during that period. However, his performance with the Colts was below expectations, with opposing quarterbacks finding success when targeting him.

Following Howard's retirement, the Colts may look to 2023 third-round pick Mekhi Blackmon or undrafted rookie Johnathan Edwards to fill his starting position. Injured player Jaylon Jones, expected to return in Week 6, is also a potential candidate. Despite retiring, the Colts will retain contractual rights over Howard, preventing him from joining another team if he decides to return to football. Howard reiterated that his family is now his priority, expressing pride and excitement in his decision to put them first.