INDIANAPOLIS—The Indianapolis Colts shook up their defense Tuesday, releasing cornerback Antonio Cromartie and waiving inside linebacker Sio Moore.
Both started the first four games.
Indy (1-3) signed Cromartie on Aug. 22. He emerged as the starter in a secondary decimated by injuries.
But he was benched last weekend after drawing two penalties in a four-play sequence .
He became expendable when the Colts got healthy, and they could have their top three cornerbacks available for the first time Sunday against Chicago (1-3).
Moore, acquired in a trade with Oakland last year, had 31 tackles this season.
Indy also signed safety Lee Hightower to the practice squad.
Cromartie also made headlines for partaking in a protest Colin Kaepernick started before the NFL season started. He knelt down during a rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” in London, as the Colts played the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He also knelt during the anthem a week prior to that in a game against the San Diego Chargers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
“The four-time Pro Bowler struggled throughout and his play with the Colts was summed up by one series during their Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London,” ESPN’s Mike Wells wrote. “Cromartie was beaten twice and called for two penalties on a drive where the Jaguars managed to get a field goal as the first half came to an end. Cromartie was benched in favor of Rashaan Melvin in the second half.”
Epoch Times contributed to this report.
