After the passing attack from Puka Nacua and the Los Angeles Rams dominated, a Colts cornerback ended his football career. Xavien Howard was a premier cornerback in this league for several years. Although he gained recognition during his time in Miami, he remained a significant contributor in Indianapolis. He announced his retirement on Wednesday, potentially giving the Las Vegas Raiders an advantage as a result.
The Colts have filled a gap in their roster by signing an additional defensive back to their practice squad. This move could potentially benefit the Las Vegas passing attack on Sunday.
The Indianapolis Colts have injuries along with the retirement…
On top of Xavien Howard’s retirement, the Colts are dealing with more troubling news. Veteran cornerback Kenny Moore is battling an Achilles injury, and given his age, the team may take it slow with his return. That’s a huge blow—Moore is one of the top playmakers in Indy’s secondary. Outside of Charvarius Ward, there isn’t much left to fear in coverage.
The defense faces another setback as linebacker Zaire Franklin is sidelined from practice due to an ankle injury.
And let’s not forget: even before these injuries, the Colts ranked among the league’s worst against the pass, giving up 223.8 yards per game.
For Geno Smith, this situation presents a prime opportunity for a strong comeback performance. With the Colts struggling as they head into Sunday, these injuries could tilt the game in favor of the Raiders.
Who will play cornerback against the Raiders?
With Xavien Howard gone, Johnathan Edwards steps up as the next man on the depth chart, but he’s not the only option. Bay Area native Mekhi Blackmon brings starter-level talent and could slide right into the mix.
Meanwhile, safety Camryn Bynum remains the backbone of the secondary, capable of covering the gap left at corner. That means the Raiders will need to be smart—forcing passes could spell trouble.
On offense, Jakobi Meyers remains the primary weapon in 2025, but over-targeting him has already resulted in costly turnovers. If he can consistently create separation, the Raiders may finally unlock their rhythm.
Bottom line: this matchup is a golden chance for the Raiders to swipe a win from a shaky secondary—if they play it right.
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*Top Photo: Getty Images