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Why Indianapolis Colts second-round cornerback JuJu Brents was inactive for the opener

INDIANAPOLIS — Rookie Colts cornerback JuJu Brents was something of a surprise scratch in Sunday’s season opener, placed on the inactive list even though he’s finally healthy.

But there is no reason to worry about the team’s second-round pick, a Warren Central product playing for his hometown team.

Brents simply hasn’t had enough time in the lineup yet.

“He’s coming,” Indianapolis defensive backs coach Ron Milus said. “He’s not quite there, meaning that a lot of other guys have a lot of time on task playing. He’s missed some time hurt, but he’s coming. It’s going to happen for him.”


Injuries kept Brents from getting the practice time he needed to be active for the opener. When Brents was first drafted by the Colts, he was rehabilitating from offseason wrist surgery, a necessary procedure that nonetheless kept him off the field for the entirety of the NFL’s spring workout period.


Brents then pulled a hamstring to start training camp, missed the first six practices at Grand Park, then played in the first two preseason games before reinjuring the hamstring ahead of the preseason finale against the Eagles.

The Colts tried to make sure Brents had enough time to recover, robbing him of some preparation time before the opener against the Jaguars.


“He kind of had a little tweak again, so we’re trying to get our head around making sure we’ve got him right for the long haul,” general manager Chris Ballard said at the end of camp.

Ultimately, Brents was able to only practice for two weeks before the team’s roster reduction.

“It was tough in the offseason, battling through injuries here and there,” Brents said. “But it’s just about recognizing that is part of the game, trying to control what I can control, making sure I’m doing all the recovery, getting all the right treatments.”


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By the time Brents got back on the field, there wasn’t enough time to get him the amount of practice snaps he needed to be ready for the opener.

“You’ve got to have a good balance with it,” Brents said. “Being a competitor, you want to be out there as soon as possible, but sometimes, it does take a little bit more time to get adjusted.”


Brents just needs time on the practice field.

From the start, he’s done everything the Colts have asked in terms of the mental side of the game, learning the playbook and working hard in the film room.

“There’s no hidden agenda, no issue … there is nothing wrong with that kid,” Milus said. “That kid’s going to be a really good player.”

Everything Indianapolis liked about Brents in the draft — the height, the speed, the long arms, the physicality — it’s all still there.

He just needs time on task.

“I do think the upside is really high,” Ballard said. “It’s been a little bit slow here, but the two weeks he was in (camp). … We’re excited about him.”