Colts’ Xavien Howard retires after slow start to season: ‘My dream has now changed’

In a shocking development, Indianapolis Colts cornerback Xavien Howard has retired, the team announced Wednesday evening. The two-time All-Pro was not at practice Wednesday afternoon due to personal reasons, and the team added him to the reserve/retired list just a few hours later.

Howard, 32, inked a one-year, $1.3 million deal with the Colts in August, but he struggled mightily in his four games for the franchise before calling it a career.

“I enjoyed everything that came with being a part of the NFL, it was my passion for the game that drove me,” Howard shared in a statement via Instagram. “I love and appreciate the Miami Dolphins for drafting me and giving me the chance to play pro football. I cannot thank the Indianapolis Colts enough for letting me continue to live out my dream but my dream has now changed.”

The Colts signed Howard amid a rash of injuries in their cornerback room, and they were initially bullish on his fit with the team. Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo was Howard’s defensive backs coach in Miami when the Dolphins drafted Howard in the second round in 2016. Despite Howard not playing in the NFL last year, Anarumo still believed in his ball-hawk skills. Howard’s 29 interceptions from 2016 to 2025 are the second most of any player during that span.

“The reason why he was drafted so high is he can go get the ball,” Anarumo said in August. “He’s proven that throughout his NFL career that he’s been an elite interceptor. … We’ll give him some time to get back and get back into football shape because that takes a while, but (we’re) hoping that we can get some of those interceptions going.”

Howard recovered a fumble in his Colts debut in Week 1, but that was a rare bright spot during his brief tenure. The veteran cornerback, who once earned four Pro Bowl nods, was picked on constantly in coverage. Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix was a perfect 7-of-7 passing for 75 yards and a touchdown when targeting Howard in Week 2, per Pro Football Reference. Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford followed suit in Week 4, completing 6-of-9 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown when targeting Howard. For the season, opposing QBs feasted against Howard, completing 14 of their 21 pass attempts for 176 yards and two TDs while maintaining a passer rating of 124.3.

Asked to assess his performance after the Colts’ loss to the Rams last week, Howard was succinct.

“Not to my ability,” he said.

Anarumo and Colts coach Shane Steichen were peppered with several questions this week regarding Howard’s starting role and, specifically, if they’d consider benching him. Both backed Howard publicly before the veteran decided for them by walking away from football.

In Howard’s absence, Indianapolis will likely turn to 2023 third-round pick Mekhi Blackmon or undrafted rookie Johnathan Edwards to replace him in the starting lineup. Jaylon Jones, currently on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, may be another option to consider. He’s eligible to return in Week 6 and has started 27 games in his career, compared to four combined between Blackmon and Edwards.

Since Howard retired before his contract expired, the Colts will retain their contractual rights over him, which means that if Howard comes out of retirement, he can’t just join another team. Indianapolis would still have contractual control over him as a player, although Howard said he’s ready to focus on his family.

“My purpose has been fulfilled in this sport, but my kids are more important to me than football,” Howard shared in his statement. “I’ve had a hell of a career, and even though it’s ending in a unique way, I’m cool with that because for once I’m putting my family first and I’m proud and excited about that decision.”

(Photo of Xavien Howard, left, running after the Broncos’ Pat Bryant: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)

Click here to read article