INDIANAPOLIS – Just a few weeks shy of his 31st birthday, Justin Houston sounded a lot different than most NFL players his age.
“I’m healthy and feel great,” Houston said at the end of the 2019 season.
“I haven’t felt like this in years. To feel like this at this point in my career is amazing.”
Those comments came the day after Houston had just played in all 16 games in a season for the first time since 2014.
When the Colts signed Houston last offseason, they thought he could not only get back to being a double-digit sacker, but they also believed he could be on the field for more games.
They were right on both.
Houston had missed 21 games the previous 4 seasons, upon arriving to Indianapolis.
His availability each week with the Colts was hardly ever a worry though, and he put up a season that probably should have earned him a 5th Pro Bowl. Houston piled up 11.0 sacks for the Colts last year, tying the second highest mark of his 9-year career.
The Colts finally received a consistent sack producer off the edge, which is why they made Houston a major priority last March.
In handing out a two-year contract to Houston last spring, the Colts have him under contract for another season.
Predicting Houston’s future past 2020 is a bit premature.
But for a sour ending to Houston’s run with the Chiefs, he seem quite pleased with the new home found with the Colts.
“I love this organization,” Houston says. “I think it’s a great franchise. I love the owner. I love playing for Chris (Ballard) and Frank (Reich) and a great group of guys. It was different, I had to get used to the scheme, but I think it’s a great group of guys that are heading in the right direction.”
