INDIANAPOLIS – It's time for the inside linebackers to get a little love this offseason.
After the Colts signed a trio of outside linebackers this free agency, the inside group added Sean Spence on Monday morning.
Spence, 26, comes to the Colts on a one-year contract after stops in Pittsburgh (2012-15) and Tennessee (2016).
"Sean has the speed and athleticism to be a sideline to sideline player," new GM Chris Ballard said in team release. "He is coming off of a productive season and we are excited to see him continue with the Colts."
Taken in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Spence's NFL career did not truly get underway for two more years.
A devastating knee injury in the 2012 preseason put Spence on the shelf for his rookie campaign.
The following year Spence broke a finger during practice, which sent him back to injured reserve for a second straight year.
Spence finally regained full health in 2014 and has missed just two games over the past three seasons.
He's started 19 games during that time, making 144 tackles and 5.0 sacks.
When Spence's rookie contract expired following the 2015 season, he joined back up with former Pittsburgh assistant Dick LeBeau in Tennessee.
Spence made six starts for the Titans last year and had 3.0 sacks and 3 passes defensed. Spence is known for ability to play on passing downs.
It would not be too much of a surprise if Spence came to Indianapolis and found his way into the starting lineup from Day One.
D'Qwell Jackson (a starter from 2014-16) is no longer in Indianapolis. When Jackson was suspended for the final four games of 2016, youngsters Edwin Jackson and Antonio Morrison started together.
Spence's experience dwarfs Jackson and Morrison.
At 5-11 and 231 pounds, Spence has 47 career games of experience, with 19 starts.
The other four inside linebackers on the Colts roster have played in 42 career games, combining for 12 total starts.
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