![\"Xavien](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2235439007.jpg\")
Xavien Howard of the Indianapolis Colts reacts during the first half against the Denver Broncos in the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Getty Images<\/p>\nFormer four-time Pro Bowler Xavien Howard has retired from the NFL.<\/p>\n
The Colts announced Wednesday that they put the one-time All-Pro on the reserve\/retired list following a tough performance during a loss to the Rams on Sunday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Howard, 32, played nine years in the NFL and spent eight seasons with the Dolphins before joining the Colts as a free agent in August after not playing in 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Xavien Howard of the Indianapolis Colts reacts during the first half against the Denver Broncos in the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Getty Images<\/p>\n
He went on to start the first four games of the season for Indianapolis, recording 11 tackles and one fumble recovery.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was away from the game in 2024, I fell in love with taking my kids to school, doing activities with them and watching them grow up,\u201d Howard wrote in a farewell post on Instagram.<\/p>\n
\u201cUp to that point I had always put my family after football. I\u2019m no longer willing to do so. So today I am retiring from the National Football League.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy purpose has been fulfilled in this sport, but my kids are more important to me then football. I\u2019ve had a hell of a career, and even though it\u2019s ending in a unique way, I\u2019m cool with that because for once I am putting my family first and I\u2019m proud about that decision.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n
Howard struggled severely against the Rams while matching up against star receiver Puka Nacua.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Next Gen Stats indicated that Howard gave up seven completions on 10 attempts for 112 yards and a touchdown.\u00a0According to Pro Football Focus<\/a>, Howard ranked 156th out of 164 corners this year.<\/p>\n Howard said after the loss that he had \u201cnot [played] to my ability.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo defended Howard earlier in the week, pointing out that Indy\u2019s entire defense needs to be better.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cThe combination of all of it,\u201d Anarumo said of the defense, per the Indy Star<\/a>. \u201cYou\u2019re playing against an elite passing game with two elite receivers and a quarterback, and at some point, rust or no rust, we\u2019ve got to make sure we\u2019re out there and guarding the guys we\u2019re tasked to guard. We\u2019ve all got to do a better job. Not just X, but me.\u201d\u2019<\/p>\n Howard previously led the NFL in interceptions in 2018 (seven) and with 10 in 2020, a year he also led the league in passes defended (20).\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tmake every NFL game pay off\t\t<\/p>\n![\"Los](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AP_Colts_Rams_Football_36306-eddb1-0.jpg\")
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (17) runs past Indianapolis Colts cornerback Xavien Howard (4) after a catch during the second hall of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. AP<\/p>\n![\"underdog](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png\")
Underdog Fantasy<\/p>\n