The 2011 NFL season is just three games in, but already the Colts are without their top safety. Fifth-year player Melvin Bullitt will be placed on injured-reserved and his season is done.
Is Bullitt injury-riddled? Bullitt will have played just six games in 2010 & 2011.
Bullitt went undrafted in 2007 out of Texas A&M. Picked up by the Colts, he immediately learned from hard-hitting safety Bob Sanders.
Maybe too much.
The Colts let Bob Sanders go after the 2010 season because of his inability to remain healthy. And now, the same could be said for Bullitt who has just played six games in 2010 and 2011.
In 2008 he had 59 tackles and four interceptions. The next year he registered 63 tackles while directing the Colts secondary.
His second shoulder injury is on the same (right) shoulder, but a different injury. He had surgery last year after being injured in a week 5 game on October 10th against Kansas City.
After consulting with multiple doctors, Bullitt will be forced to have surgery once again and placed on injured-reserve. Sound familiar?
It was almost a necessity for the Colts to re-sign Bullitt before training camp because of their struggles signing middle-of-the-road safeties. And remember they didn’t have much time to consult with free-agents because of the NFL lockout. Letting Sanders go, Indy needed some experience of some kind in the secondary.
This is a bit worrisome for management after re-signing Melvin to a three-year deal. Obviously in the NFL, contracts are not guaranteed but I’m sure he received a considerable amount of money up front. They really have to decide if its worth bringing him back again, when he reminds us all too well of Bob Sanders who also struggled staying on the field.
I can’t help but feel for Bullitt who is a great player on the field and an even-keeled personality. He has appeared in multiple local TV sport shows and was very honest with his responses.
Some players’ bodies just don’t agree with the heart of the player…and this seems to be the case with the Bullitt.
Owner Jim Irsay also confirmed in a tweet that MLB and defensive captain Gary Brackett has been placed on injured-reserve. What a blow to the Colts D’.