The Indianapolis Colts today signed wide receiver K.J. Brent and safety Ronald Martin to the practice squad and released running back Marcus Murphy from the practice squad. The team also placed safety Malik Hooker on the Injured Reserve List.
Brent, 6-3, 202 pounds, spent time on the Seattle Seahawks practice squad this season. He participated in the Oakland Raiders' 2017 offseason program and training camp before being waived during final cuts. As a rookie in 2016, Brent spent the entire season on the Raiders practice squad. He originally signed with Oakland as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2016.
Collegiately, Brent played one season at Wake Forest as a graduate student after spending three years at South Carolina. He finished his four-year collegiate career with 56 receptions for 735 yards (13.1 avg.) and two touchdowns. As a senior in 2015, Brent started 11-of-12 games for the Demon Deacons and ranked third on the team with 42 receptions for 583 yards (13.9 avg.) and one touchdown. He led the team in yards per reception.
Martin, 6-2, 220 pounds, re-joins the Colts after spending time on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. He spent time on Indianapolis' practice squad earlier this season. Martin was originally acquired by the Colts via trade with the New York Jets on August 28, 2017. He has played in 11 career games with the Jets (2015-16) and recorded two tackles (one solo). Martin also spent time on the Jets practice squad each of the last two seasons. He originally signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2015. Martin spent the 2015 offseason and training camp with the Seahawks before being waived on September 5, 2015. He was claimed off waivers by the Jets the next day.
Collegiately, Martin played in 37 games (21 starts) at LSU and tallied 149 tackles (65 solo), 1.0 tackle for loss, 20 passes defensed, five interceptions, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Murphy, 5-9, 195 pounds, was signed to the Colts practice squad on October 9. He also spent time on the New York Jets practice squad earlier this season. Murphy has played in 16 career games and has compiled 19 kickoff returns for 405 yards (21.3 avg.) and 34 punt returns for 318 yards (9.4 avg.) and one touchdown in his time with the New Orleans Saints (2015-16).
Hooker, 6-2, 212 pounds, has played in all seven games (six starts) this season and tallied 21 tackles (15 solo), four passes defensed, three interceptions and one special teams stop. His interception total ranks tied for third in the NFL (first among rookies). Hooker was selected by the Colts in the first round (15th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Ohio State.
