INDIANAPOLIS — Injuries are simply part of the game of football, and when one guy goes down, the "next man up" approach is put into play.
But when the Indianapolis Colts lost starting cornerback Kenny Moore II for an extended period last season, they learned just how critical it was to have quality depth behind him, particularly at the nickel cornerback position.
While multiple players tried their best to fill Moore II's shoes — even guys primarily considered outside cornerbacks who were experimenting with the nickel role — the Colts' defense would struggle at times without a capable replacement.
So as general manager Chris Ballard and his personnel staff scanned the free agent market this offseason, they wanted to find someone with plenty of experience and a track record of production playing both outside and inside at cornerback who could bolster the depth at either spot.
That's where T.J. Carrie enters the picture.
Carrie, who has 92 total games and 50 starts to his credit over the last six seasons with the Raiders and the Cleveland Browns, on March 30 signed a free agent deal to bring his blend of versatility and leadership to the Indy secondary.
"T.J. is a guy that's got experience playing inside and outside," Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus said of Carrie. "That's certainly a piece we were missing at times last year once Kenny went down; we didn't have the depth there that we thought we needed to develop more, and (Carrie's) certainly a piece that can slide in and can slide out."
Moore II, one of the top nickel cornerbacks in the NFL, was putting together another solid season last year when he suffered ankle injury Week 11 against the Tennessee Titans. He wouldn't return to the field the rest of the season.
The Colts shuffled multiple players into Moore II's role, including Shakial Taylor (who was injured and then waived), Rolan Milligan (normally a safety who was eventually placed on injured reserve), Quincy Wilson (who missed a couple games with a shoulder injury down the stretch), rookie Marvell Tell III (who was originally intended to be exclusively lined up on the outside) and late-season signing Brian Boddy-Calhoun.
Carrie, meanwhile, has been there, done that at both outside and nickel cornerback. The 6-foot, 204-pound Ohio University product has collected 331 total tackles (12 for a loss) with five interceptions, 43 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, two sacks and five quarterback hits, and has averaged more than 350 snaps per season lined up in the slot over his six-year NFL career, including 326 snaps with the Browns last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Over the years, Carrie has learned just how difficult it can be for cornerbacks to seamlessly change back and forth between playing outside and inside, but it's a challenge he's taken head-on.
"From an outside perspective, you're definitely just zoned in to your guy, right? 'Tell me what I got; leave me alone,' right? And so, from that standpoint, it is more simplified in the game," Carrie said this offseason in an interview with Colts.com's Matt Taylor. "When you bunch in to the nickel, I think you definitely have to use a different mentality in a sense where you are now in a position where most of the time you're going to have to communicate with the linebackers, the safeties, and, if we're going hurry-up, I've gotta communicate to the cornerback, too, because he's probably not getting the play. So you have to do that. There's a lot of different checks; 'Am I motioning in this coverage? Am I not motioning in this coverage? Am I blitzing in this coverage? When the play starts, is it run-pass and read my keys? Am I supposed to be in this gap, or am I supposed to be in that gap?'
"So there's a multitude of things that go in your mind to where when you're playing that position, you can't be as zoned in from the outside perspective, but at the same time I think that's something that I've always prided on being able to do, is adjust to those types of situations, and you get the experience to blitz and do different schemes and do different disguises (that) you couldn't do on the outside," Carrie continued. "So it's definitely two different types of games that you play."
Carrie is one of a few new faces in the Colts' cornerbacks room this offseason. The team also utilized free agency to bring in former All-Pro Xavier Rhodes, while it used a sixth-round pick to select UMass corner Isaiah Rodgers, who also will be in the mix to provide depth both inside and outside.
The Colts in 2020 return starters Moore II and Rock Ya-Sin, while Tell III seemed to improve with each passing week his rookie season as he made the transition from college safety to NFL cornerback.
Others vying for spots on the final 53-man roster at cornerback for the Colts include Picasso Nelson Jr., Lafayette Pitts, Jackson Porter and Travis Reed.
Carrie said he's looking forward to seeing how all that talent will be utilized once training camp begins later this month.
"You have a bunch of different options on how you want to utilize everybody in defensive packages," Carrie said. " And I think that nowadays in this league, the more talent that you can have, the more exotic things that you can do from a defensive standpoint and confuse offenses, and the more packages that you can put out on the field. And so I think that nowadays offenses are coming out in so many different (looks) — 11 personnel, 10 personnel, 12 personnel, but making it look like an 11-personnel set — that you need that depth and availability from different guys to match up with. So very talented group already, and like I said, I'm fortunate to be a part of it, that we can all bounce ideas off of each other and create something special."
See some of the best images of free agent cornerback T.J. Carrie as he signs with the Indianapolis Colts.
Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) runs during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns won 27-19. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) and Oakland Raiders strong safety T.J. Carrie (38) during an NFL regular season game on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015 in Oakland, Calif. The Chiefs won, 34-20. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Cleveland. The Ravens won 31-15. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is tackled by Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) runs during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns won 27-19. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) defends during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns defeated the Steelers, 21-7. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Cleveland. The Seahawks won 32-28. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson (32) plays against the Cleveland Browns' T.J. Carrie (38) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaron Brown (18) plays against Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie is introduced before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Cleveland. The Rams won 20-13. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Cleveland Browns' T.J. Carrie (38) defends San Francisco 49ers' Tarvarius Moore (33) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Oct. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) tackles Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Willie Snead (83) during an NFL regular season football game on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018 in Cleveland. The Browns won in overtime, 12-9. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie defends against the Baltimore Ravens during a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Baltimore. The Browns defeated the Ravens, 40-25. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) plays against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) defends during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Cleveland. The Rams won 20-13. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) takes the field prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Cleveland. The Rams won 20-13. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) runs the football from Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) during an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders defeated the Browns in overtime, 45-42. (Ryan Kang via AP)
FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018 file photo, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) runs the ball against Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) in the second half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati. Receiver Tyler Boyd signed a four-year contract extension on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 coming off his breakthrough season with the Cincinnati Bengals.(AP Photo/Gary Landers, File)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Austin Carr, left, cannot hold on to the football as Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Cleveland Brownsdefensive back T.J. Carrie (38) celebrates his interception with defensive back Derrick Kindred (26) during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Saturday, Dec. 165, 2018 in Denver, Colo. (Greg Trott via AP)
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jordy Nelson (82) runs against Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) during an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) shouts and gestures after an interception in the fourth quarter in the NFL game against the Denver Broncos , Saturday, December 15, 2018, in Denver. ( Eric Bakke via AP)
Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) waits for the snap during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Greg Trott via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate (84) reaches for his fumble after getting hit by Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) straight arms Oakland Raiders cornerback T.J. Carrie (38) during a Week 17 NFL game on Sunday, December 31, 2017, in Carson, Calif. The Chargers defeated the Raiders 30-10. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) lines up across from Texans receiver Keith Mumphery (12) during an NFL Wild Card Playoff game between the Houston Texans and the Oakland Raiders on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017 in Houston. The Texans beat the Raiders 27-14. (Matt Patterson via AP)
Oakland Raiders cornerback TJ Carrie (38) in coverage during a week 12 NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. Oakland won 21-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Oakland Raiders strong safety T.J. Carrie (38) before an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis., Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Oakland Raiders cornerback T.J. Carrie (38) breaks up a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Dallas Cowboys running back Alfred Morris (46) carries the ball in front of Oakland Raiders cornerback TJ Carrie (38) during an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. Dallas won 20-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Oakland Raiders cornerback TJ Carrie (38) sets on defense in a week-eight NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Oct. 30, 2016 in Tampa, Fla. Oakland won 30 - 24 in overtime. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Oakland Raiders strong safety T.J. Carrie (38) in coverage during an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016 in San Diego. Oakland won 19-16. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Oakland Raiders cornerback T.J. Carrie (38) is introduced before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oakland Raiders cornerback T.J. Carrie (38) tackles Denver Broncos wide receiver Cody Latimer (14) during an NFL regular season football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders won, 21-14. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Devin Hester, right, fumbles the ball as he is tackled by Oakland Raiders strong safety T.J. Carrie in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Baltimore. Baltimore recovered the ball on the play. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Oakland Raiders strong safety T.J. Carrie (38) smiles before an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Oakland Raiders cornerback T.J. Carrie (38) signs autographs before an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
