Xavien Howard may not have played football in 2024, but he never wavered in his belief that he would be back on an NFL field sooner rather than later.
The cornerback, who sustained a foot injury early in the 2023 season, was not picked up by another team after he was released by the Miami Dolphins at the end of the season. He had opportunities to sign with other teams in 2024, he said, but nothing felt like the correct fit.
“I did have opportunities, I just feel like it wasn’t the right situation for me,” Howard said Wednesday. “So I gave it a shot, I’m like ok, I just can wait (until) next year and hopefully something will happen, and something ended up happening.”
Howard, whose workouts and training never ceased over the last year, had been in touch with the Colts for a while – specifically, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who knew Howard from their shared time with the Dolphins. And when the Colts’ cornerback room started getting hit with injury after injury, Howard got a phone call.
“Me and coach Lou got a great relationship, my first two years in the league he worked with me at the Miami Dolphins, so I’ve been in contact with him, and when I got the call I was ready to come,” Howard said. “I’m familiar with him, he’s familiar with me, he know my game and I can expect what he’s gonna call. So I was just excited for the opportunity, just ready to come play.”