Ronnie Harrison has had an interesting history with the Indianapolis Colts. He was one of their most impactful picks at one point, and then he was released by the team only to be brought back again. These moves have a broader meaning behind them, as they reflect the team's approach to defense in general.

In this article, we'll go over what Harrison's return means for the Colts and how it will affect the team in the seasons to come.

Harrison's Journey With the Colts

Ronnie Harrison Jr. joined the Indianapolis Colts during the 2023 NFL season. He was then released during the final roster cuts in August of that year. The Colts then re-signed him to the practice squad. In November 2023, Harrison was promoted to the active roster again, but transitioned from safety to linebacker. He replaced Shaquille Leonard, who was released. Harrison signed a one-year contract with the Colts in March 2024.

During the 2023 season, Harrison appeared in seven games and started in three. In that time, he recorded 20 total tackles (11 solo), one sack, two passes defensed, and two interceptions. He played 234 defensive snaps, which is about 20 percent of the Colts' defense overall.

Why Was Harrison Released?

 Given how versatile Harrison is on the field, some were wondering why he was released during the rookie cut in the first place. The decision has to do with the Colts' overall attitude towards defense, and it makes sense when you take into account a broader roster.

It seems that the Colts have decided to emphasize the depth at different position groups and have carried more players than usual. To stay within the roster limits, they reduced numbers at other positions, such as safety or linebackers.

The Return to Roster

Harrison returned to the active roster in October last year. The decision came after Trevor Denbow injured his knee and was put on injured reserve. However, the plan to reintegrate Harrison with the team was prepared long before that.

Now, when Harrison had experience as both safety and, more recently, linebacker, he provided depth to the defensive backfield. Harrison also has a role to play with special teams, and some experts claim that this, too, led to the team resigning him in November 2024.

During the 2024 preseason, Harrison made a splash when he showcased his tackling strength with a powerful tackle for loss against Trayveon Williams. In an especially important game against the Chicago Bears, he delivered a game-changing play when he caused a fumble, which Lammons quickly recovered.

The Impact on the Team

The Colts were in dire need of a better defensive lineup. In 2024, the defense surrendered 6,140 total yards, with 4,142 passing yards and 2,241 rushing yards allowed. The opponents completed about 69 percent of their passes against the Colts, with 7.6 yards on average per attempt.

Adding Harrison back to the roster had an impact on the defense in general, and this is noticeable in the odds provided by crypto sports betting sites – over-under bets covering these statistics are now more in favor of the Colts.

Coaching Changes

In January of 2025, the Colts parted ways with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley after three seasons. Head coach Shane Steichen expressed gratitude for Bradley's efforts, but he emphasized that the defense is in need of a change.

Lou Anarumo was selected to replace Bradley, and he's expressed a desire to bring back more players along with Harrison. The decision was called a revolution in the Colt's approach to defense, and it's possible it just might be that.

How Are the Colts Doing Overall?

In the 2024 season, the Colts finished second in the AFC South with an 8–9 record. They had a negative score of minus 50, with 377 points scored and 427 allowed. Their offense averaged 334.8 total yards per game, putting them in the 13th spot in the league. The defense allowed 361.2 yards per game, ranking 29th overall.

In the offseason, the Colts selected tight end Tyler Warren from Penn State in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. This is supposed to improve their passing efforts. Overall, the team is optimistic about its prospects for the season.

To Sum Up

 Ronnie Harrison is now a part of the active roster of the Colts, and he's expected to make an impact while the team is trying to improve its defense with a new coordinator. The team once drafted Harrison, then released him as a free agent, and then returned him to the practice roster. Now, when he played as both a linebacker and a safety, he's back on the team with a one-year contract.

The Colts have had trouble with their defense, but the changes on the bench and the addition of Harrison have already changed their odds, according to experts and bookmakers.