As the Colts transitioned from Stephon Gilmore’s brief tenure, they fielded an untested cornerback group, with Kenny Moore as the lone established player in the slot. One of the cornerbacks Indianapolis started the season with, Darrell Baker Jr., has now joined the Titans’ roster.
After the Colts waived Baker on Wednesday, the Titans successfully claimed him off waivers, as reported by KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. Baker still has two years remaining on his rookie contract.
Although Baker initially made the Colts’ 53-man roster, Indianapolis later claimed Samuel Womack off waivers from the 49ers. Instead of moving to the Colts’ practice squad, Baker will now be part of the Titans’ 53-man roster.
Baker started last season as one of the Colts’ starting cornerbacks and earned five more starts throughout the season. However, coming into camp this year, he wasn’t expected to start. According to Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star, 2023 seventh-round pick Jaylon Jones won the starting job opposite Julius Brents. Baker had been working with the Colts’ second-stringers, playing opposite Dallis Flowers. He logged 467 defensive snaps last season, after not playing any in his rookie year, but Pro Football Focus ranked the former undrafted free agent (UDFA) outside the top 100 at his position.
The Titans have recently made changes in their secondary, trading away three-year contributor Elijah Molden and parting ways with Caleb Farley, a former first-round pick. With Dennard Wilson now leading the defense in Nashville, the Titans have added key players like free agent Chidobe Awuzie and trade acquisition L’Jarius Sneed. Roger McCreary is expected to cover the slot, while Baker is set to join as a second-string option. The Titans also have fifth-round rookie Jarvis Brownlee at the position.
In addition to claiming Baker, the Titans signed tight end Nick Vannett from their practice squad and placed fourth-round rookie linebacker Cedric Gray on IR, according to Wilson.
