Colts promote LB Ronnie Harrison Jr. to active roster

The Indianapolis Colts signed linebacker Ronnie Harrison Jr. from the practice squad to the active roster, the team announced Tuesday.

This move comes just a few hours after the Colts surprisingly waived linebacker Shaquille Leonard, who was in the third year of a five-year contract.

Harrison will be converting from safety to linebacker, which means he’s likely to work as a WILL behind new starter E.J. Speed, who is expected to take over Leonard’s role. He signed onto the Colts practice squad in August and has remained there for the entire season thus far.

Harrison, 26, was a third-round pick (No. 93 overall) by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2018 NFL draft out of Alabama. He spent two seasons in Duval before being traded to the Cleveland Browns ahead of the 2020 season. Harrison spent three seasons with the Browns (2020-2022) before hitting free agency this offseason.

In 67 career games (45 starts), Harrison has recorded five interceptions, 23 passes defensed, 5.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss.