INDIANAPOLIS — With the 2019 NFL Draft now out of the way, the Indianapolis Colts have dipped their toe back into free agency.
The team today announced the signing of veteran running back Spencer Ware.
In other roster moves, the Colts waived safety Isaiah Johnson and defensive tackle DeShawn Williams, and released wide receiver James Wright
Ware, 27, is a 5-foot-10, 229-pound LSU product. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, but would suffer a season-ending ankle injury after playing in just two games, logging three carries.
He would be released by the Seahawks the following year during final cuts and then signed by the Kansas City Chiefs. He had an impressive first year in Kansas City as the backup to Jamaal Charles, playing in 11 games with two starts and logging 72 rushing attempts for 403 yards — for a robust 5.6 yards-per-carry average — and six touchdowns.
Ware's breakout season was in 2016. Taking over starting duties, he played in 14 games and had 214 rushing attempts for 921 yards (4.3 yards per carry) with three touchdowns, while he also added 33 receptions for 447 yards and two scores through the air.
Ware would suffer a season-ending knee injury the following preseason, however. Last year, he came back to play in 13 games with two starts and carried the ball 51 times for 246 yards — an average of 4.8 yards per run — with two touchdowns, to go along with 23 receptions for 224 yards.
In 40 games with 18 starts, Ware has accumulated 340 rushing attempts for 1,580 yards (4.6 yards-per-carry average) with 11 touchdowns, as well as 59 receptions for 676 yards and two scores in the passing game.
Ware immediately adds a veteran presence to a young and talented Colts running backs room that includes Marlon Mack (third year), Nyheim Hines (second year), Jordan Wilkins (second year) and Jonathan Williams (fourth year).
Ware is the third outside free agent the Colts have signed this offseason, and joins wide receiver Devin Funchess and defensive end Justin Houston.
