The
Indianapolis Colts have decided not to exercise their fifth-year option on
starting safety Malik Hooker, which could make him an unrestricted free agent
after next season.Team officials faced a Monday afternoon deadline to extend the
deal but opted against it.Hooker was Indys first-round draft pick in 2017, No.
15 overall, and showed play-making ability when he was on the field. The
24-year-old Ohio State alum started fast, earning a starting job as a rookie and
picking off three passes in his first seven games. Then the injuries mounted. He
missed the final nine games of 2017 with a knee injury and has wound up missing
14 games over his first three seasons
Darius
Jackson Jersey.Last season might have been his best in the NFL. Hooker had
51 tackles and picked off two passes and recovered one fumble in 13 games.After
the season, general manager Chris Ballard called it a solid season for
Hooker.But if the Colts had exercised the option, Hookers fifth-year salary
would have been guaranteed if he had gotten hurt again
Malik
Henry Jersey.Last year, I really felt like Malik had a really good year. You
could really feel his presence, coach Frank Reich said Monday on a Zoom call
before the decision became official. Physically, I felt Malik presence on the
field. Malik is not the most outgoing, bubbly personality he got a lot of juice
and intensity in him and I think you really saw that come out last year when he
was healthy.
The Wall