Colts add speedy returner in former Chiefs cornerback Tremon Smith

The Colts have added former Chiefs cornerback Tremon Smith.

The Kansas City Chiefs have one less familiar face now available at a point of positional need in free agency now that the Indianapolis Colts have signed returner Tremon Smith and waived defensive end Kendall Coleman.

The Chiefs weren’t likely call on Smith this preseason for a need at cornerback since he’d worn his welcome out some time ago, but it is notable that the Chiefs have several injury and/or availability issues at the same time that a former cornerback was snatched up by another team.

The Chiefs are going to be thin while Bashaud Breeland serves his suspension to open the year as it is, but that’s before they lost Alex Brown to a torn ACL. In addition, Antonio Hamilton, BoPete Keyes, and Lavert Hill were all dealing with various injuries as the Chiefs practiced in pads for the first time this weekend.

Special teams coordinator Dave Toub once called Tremon Smith the second fastest player on the Chiefs behind Tyreek Hill, and the Colts are likely wanting to get a closer look at just how dangerous Smith could be in the return ranks.

Smith was the sixth round pick of the Chiefs back in the 2018 NFL Draft as a small-school grab out of Central Arkansas, where he had 15 interceptions in four seasons. He lasted one year in K.C. before being cut during the 2019 preseason. From there, the Green Bay Packers claimed him on waivers before cutting him loose. The Philadelphia Eagles also took a flyer on him but waived him just a couple weeks ago.

Smith had 33 kick returns for 886 yards, including a long return of 97 yards, in 2018 for the Chiefs. His career average is 25.8 yards per return.