Ex-Vikings Defender Auditions for Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are 2-2 through four games and have a 37% chance of reaching the postseason, according to DVOA odds.
Ex-Vikings Defender Auditions for Colts
And to possibly bolster defensive secondary depth, Indianapolis worked out former Minnesota Vikings cornerback Chandon Sullivan this week.
KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweeted Tuesday, “Colts worked out Cornell Armstrong, Tre Herndon, A.J. Parker, Chandon Sullivan, Tracy Walker.”
If Sullivan’s audition turns into a contract offer, he’d likely live on the Colts’ practice squad. These are Indianapolis’ corners at the moment:
- Samuel Womack III
- Jaylon Jones
- Kenny Moore II
- Dallis Flowers
- Chris Lammons
- Gregory Junior (Practice Squad)
- Kelvin Joseph (Practice Squad)
- Jaylin Simpson (Practice Squad)
- David Long (Practice Squad)
The Colts’ passing defense ranks 18th in the league entering Week 5 per the aforementioned DVOA metric.
And here’s Sullivan’s career resume to date:
- Philadelphia Eagles (2018)
- Green Bay Packers (2019–2021)
- Minnesota Vikings (2022)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (2023)
Sullivan last played for the Steelers, seeing action on 422 defensive plays in 2023. He produced a decent 61.2 Pro Football Focus grade for his troubles. His one-year deal expired after the 2023 campaign, and no team signed him — which he hopes will change with the Colts tryout.
Sullivan was the slot cornerback for the 2022 Vikings, an assignment that turned out to be a one-year pitstop, not all that different from former defensive coordinator Ed Donatell. Minnesota hired Donatell at the dawn of the Kevin O’Connell age, the team won 13 games with the NFL’s second-worst defense per yards allowed, and Donatell was dismissed four days after the Vikings lost in the postseason. Brian Flores was hired thereafter, and Sullivan wasn’t prioritized for a second season in Minnesota.
Referees notably robbed Sullivan of two defensive touchdowns — in the same game — against the Indianapolis Colts in December. The Vikings still pulled off the greatest comeback in NFL history, but if officials didn’t prematurely blow dead Sullivan’s fumble returns for touchdowns, the 33-0 halftime hole wouldn’t have been as egregious.
In one season with the Vikings, Sullivan fired up a 55.8 Pro Football Focus grade, the 21st-worst leaguewide among 118 qualifying cornerbacks. In that regard, it is no surprise the Vikings said “no thanks” to a Sullivan sequel in 2023.
The Colts travel to Jacksonville for a date with the Jaguars on Sunday, a team with a 0-4 record that could be in sheer desperation mode.
Indianapolis also employs former Vikings wide receiver Laquon Treadwell on its practice squad.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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