The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly signing defensive end Derek Rivers, according to Joel Erickson of the Indy Star.
Rivers was one of 12 players in for a workout on Tuesday. The Colts also reportedly signed wide receiver Greg Ward.
Rivers was a third-round pick by the New England Patriots back in 2017. In his NFL career, he has played 336 defensive snaps and 119 special teams snaps. His last regular season snaps in either phase of the game came in 2021 with Houston.
Over his 210 career pass rush snaps, Rivers has recorded 14 pressures and four sacks, according to PFF, along five of his 27 total tackles coming behind the line of scrimmage.
The addition of Rivers bolsters the defensive end depth for the Colts. Last week, Genard Avery sustained an upper leg injury, and hasn’t practiced or played since. In the coming days, the Colts have two joint practices with Arizona followed by a preseason game on Saturday.
In order to make room on the roster for Rivers and Ward, two corresponding roster cuts had to be made. The Colts announced that they released safety Kendell Brooks and waived/injured wide receiver Ethan Fernea.