The Colts placed Howard on the reserve/retired list Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Howard had played at least 80 percent of defensive snaps in three straight games for the Colts, but he has abruptly called an end to his career. At his prime, he was an excellent ball-hawking corner, picking off 27 passes across 65 games from 2017 to 2021.

Howard started at cornerback opposite Charvarius Ward and recovered a fumble but did not have a tackle in Sunday's win over Miami.

EDGE Analysis

Howard played on 31 of the defense's 47 snaps and didn't allow a reception on two passes targeted his way, according to Pro Football Focus. After missing 2024 with a foot injury, Howard looked back to full speed and should add a needed steady veteran presence to Indy's secondary.

The Colts signed Howard on Monday, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Colts are dealing with injuries to cornerbacks JuJu Brents (hamstring), Jaylon Jones (hamstring), Kenny Moore (knee) and Johnathan Edwards (concussion), so it's an ideal landing spot for Howard. He spent the entire 2024 season out of the league after the Dolphins released Howard with a failed physical designation due to a foot injury he dealt with in 2023. Howard is a four-time Pro Bowl selection and was named a first-team All-Pro in 2020, but he turned 32 years old last month.

Howard worked out with the Bengals this week but didn't agree to a contract, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cincinnati secondary has been a disaster this season, but they weren't able or willing to bring aboard Howard, who wasn't signed as a free agent this spring in part due to a foot injury. Howard is ostensibly healthy now, and the 31-year-old could find an opportunity with a playoff-contending team looking to add an experienced cornerback for the stretch run.

Howard (foot) was fully cleared for football activities earlier this month, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports.

EDGE Analysis

This news, which was relayed by Howard's doctor in a letter, should help pave the way for the free agent cornerback, who dealt with a foot issue late last season, to catch on with another team. Prior to missing Miami's last two contests (Week 18 and the team's wild-card loss to Kansas City), Howard -- a four-time Pro Bowler -- had recorded 45 tackles and an interception in 13 games.

Howard (foot) was released by the Dolphins on Wednesday with a failed physical and post-June 1 designation.

EDGE Analysis

This move was expected after the Dolphins informed Howard in February that he would be released at the start of the league year. Once healthy, Howard will likely be in high demand, as the 30-year-old cornerback is a four-time Pro Bowler and has posted at least 12 passes defensed in six of the past seven seasons.

The Dolphins informed Howard (foot) that he will be released at the start of the league year, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

For the first time in his eight-year NFL career, Howard is expected to have to look for a new home this offseason. This move, along with the expected release of Emmanuel Ogbah, will save Miami roughly $32 million in cap space. The former First-Team All-Pro cornerback was able to log 45 total tackles, 12 pass deflections and one interception across 13 outings last season, and he's expected to attract significant interest once he hits the open market, per Garafolo.

Howard was dealing with a foot sprain, which forced him to miss the Dolphins' final two games, including Saturday's wild-card loss to the Chiefs, Adam H. Beasley of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard won't need surgery to repair his foot and should be ready for offseason activities. Beasley notes that the Baylor product doesn't seem inclined to take a pay cut, which could make him a candidate to be cut this spring.

Howard (foot) is listed as out for Saturday's game at Kansas City, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard was not able to practice at all during the week, so it comes as no surprise that he'll miss the Dolphins' wild-card game. In his absence, Eli Apple projects to see an increased workload against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.

Coach Mike McDaniel said Monday that the Dolphins are not planning for Howard (foot) to suit up for their wild-card game at Kansas City, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard sat out of Miami's season finale due to a foot injury he sustained in Week 17 at Baltimore, and now it looks like he'll have to miss the wild-card round as well. In that case, Eli Apple would probably be in line for increased snaps Saturday.