INDIANAPOLIS — Retirement never crossed Germaine Pratt’s mind. But while he waited for his next NFL opportunity, he found another way to stay involved in the game. The North Carolina native and former NC State star returned home this fall to join the Wolfpack staff as a volunteer linebackers coach.

“I never experienced this, being a free agent for so long,” Pratt said Wednesday, one day after rejoining the Indianapolis Colts via their practice squad. “But obviously, going back to college, being around them young guys, seeing how much joy they brought me (was invaluable). Being around … my old head coach (Dave Doeren), him uplifting me and helping me with my mental, it was great.”

Pratt initially signed with the Colts midseason last year and started 12 games. He totaled 101 tackles, including five tackles for loss, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and eight passes defensed under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, whom Pratt spent six seasons with in Cincinnati. In fact, Pratt, a 2019 third-round pick, was the first defensive player the Cincinnati Bengals drafted during Anarumo’s first year as an NFL defensive coordinator.

On the surface, Pratt’s reunion with the Colts and Anarumo is a feel-good moment for a player who enjoyed his brief coaching stint but isn’t quite ready to trade his helmet for a clipboard.

On a deeper level, it also reminds us how much Colts general manager Chris Ballard’s offseason plan has failed.

“We’ve gotta get younger,” Ballard said of Indianapolis’ defense at the end of the 2025 season. “We’ve gotta get faster.”

But what about better?

Surely, Pratt isn’t any younger or faster than he was a year ago. Yet, here Ballard and the Colts are, calling on a 30-year-old to stabilize their abysmal linebacker corps. Pratt said he tried out for one team while his career was in limbo: the Dallas Cowboys. The veteran was asked if he wanted to re-sign with the Colts earlier in the offseason, and he was careful with his words.

“Um,” Pratt said while pausing, “I just wanted the opportunity to play football again.”

That chance could come as soon as Sunday, when the Colts host the winless Tennessee Titans. Pratt said, “It ain’t no ifs, buts” about whether he’ll be ready to play a full game. But a few months ago, Indianapolis would’ve preferred he continue his career elsewhere.

More good news but what’s up with the glove? DJ took a pretty good hit vs Steelers and was noticeably shook after…

It gets tiring at some point.

Good news!

This is my pick. Overall impact: minimal. Locker room vibes : Elite 😂

Subtitle:

The Colts have signed former Lou Anarumo players 8 times. Is Indianapolis now Cincinnati West?

That is all.

This is… not good

DJ ranked 29th.

Is it too early to bring back Jeff as Interim Head Coach - Pagano as Defensive Coordinator and maybe promote Ed Dodds as General Manager / ask the Jets to help pay coaches salary for improved 1st round pick in 2027 - maybe new GM can spend the rest of the season getting started on fixing the myriad issues the team faces.

I know we are “heavy” favorites to win this week but I would not be surprised if the Titans pulled off an upset. The titans have played close games against the ravens and the eagles and are hungry for a win. That combined with Shane’s horrible play calling and the team’s inability to play 4 quarters of competent football could lead to an upset.

If this happens I fully believe Shane and Ballard will be fired mid season after losing to an 0-5 titans team at home. Hopefully we can turn it around and win, but regardless I think we “win” even with a loss this week.