Derrick

Kindred

Kindred will likely get another chance to crack a 53-man roster but injuries and his fourth-round name tag make things an uphill battle. He hasn’t played since being waived by the Browns in 2018.

A 2016 fourth-rounder, Kindred has 17 starts to his name. 2018 was a forgettable year, but it is worth taking notice any time Colts GM Chris Ballard acquires someone. The Colts’ starting safety spots are set, but both Malik Hooker and Clayton Geathers have struggled with injury.

A fourth-round pick in 2016, Kindred struggled last season, but he showed promising signs in 2017 and was owed just $2.025 million this year. Especially given Cleveland’s situation at safety following the Jabrill Peppers trade, cutting Kindred feels like an overreaction to a tough season. The 25-year-old should get plucked off waivers.

Kindred figures to have a chance to start after the Browns let FS Tashaun Gipson walk in free agency and released SS Donte Whitner. He’ll be in the mix with Rahim Moore, Ibraheim Campbell, and Jordan Poyer for the two spots.

Kindred somehow suffered a broken ankle during the bye week. The fourth-round rookie played 122 of 125 defensive snaps the past two weeks. The Browns’ expansion-level defense continues to take hits and is one to attack.

Kindred (5'10/207) made 30 starts at TCU, amassing 12 career tackles for loss with eight INTs and three forced fumbles. He earned first-team All-Big 12 as a senior despite allegedly breaking his collarbone three days before the season. Kindred excelled at the Combine, running 4.5-flat with a 37 1/2-inch vertical and 10-foot-3 broad jump. Kindred is a hard-hitting box safety with just enough athleticism to perhaps eventually become viable in coverage, though he isn’t there yet. Kindred will have to make his early-career bones on special teams.

His roster spot has been absorbed by B.W. Webb. Kindred injured his wrist in Sunday’s loss to Baltimore. He registered 56 tackles and one interception over 688 defensive snaps this season.