The Indianapolis Colts today signed free agent defensive end Tyler Brayton and released defensive tackle DeMario Pressley.
Brayton, 6-6, 280-pounds, is an eight-year veteran who has started in 92 of 125 career NFL games with the Oakland Raiders (2003-07) and Carolina Panthers (2008-10). The Richland, Washington native has accumulated 283 career tackles (228 solo), 15.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, one interception and 16 passes defensed.
Originally a first round (32nd overall) selection by Oakland in the 2003 NFL Draft, Brayton started in all 16 contests as a rookie and set a career-high in tackles (61) while adding 2.5 sacks. In 2009, the Colorado alum totaled a career-high five sacks and two forced fumbles.
In 47 career games at the University of Colorado, Brayton registered 152 tackles, 12.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. As a senior, he was a second-team All-Big 12 Conference selection and he earned the Dave Jones Award, given to the team's most outstanding defensive player that season.