Colts Add Former Browns Return Man Josh Cribbs

The Indianapolis Colts have made a roster move to remedy an ineffective return game by signing three-time Pro Bowl return man Josh Cribbs. The talented return man had a workout with the Colts last week but left Ohio without a contract before officially singing with the team today. Cribbs has been one of the best return men in league history, which makes this a great pick up for the Colts special teams return units hoping to bolster their productivity.

Currently, Indianapolis ranks in the bottom third of the league in average punt return yardage for the season, while simultaneously ranking 12th in kick returns. Griff Whalen had been shouldering the load for return duties until this point, returning 15 kicks for a 25.8 yards average per return while averaging a meager 7.2 yards per return on punt returns. Whalen has been mostly reliable for the Colts, but it’s clear that he hasn’t provided the team with the explosive return game that Cribbs could potentially offer.

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Prior to joining the Colts, Cribbs spent eight seasons with the Cleveland Browns from 2005-2012 and racked up 11 touchdowns on return duties – eight on kickoff returns and three on punts. Cleveland released Cribbs after the 2012 season where he was picked up by the Oakland Raiders only to be released in the final round of cuts in the preseason. Not long after, Cribbs was signed to a contract with the New York Jets for the 2013 season, but was placed on IR early in the year due an injury.

At 31 years of age, Cribbs is clearly on the downside of his career, especially for a return man whose reign as “the best” in the NFL is usually very short lived. It is possible Cribbs could still have plenty left in the tank after some time away from football, but even if he doesn’t return to form he could remain a better option that anyone currently on the Colt’s roster.