{"id":183981,"date":"2025-10-02T02:13:07","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T02:13:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/183981\/"},"modified":"2025-10-02T02:13:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T02:13:07","slug":"xavien-howard-retires-former-all-pro-selection-calls-it-a-career-after-just-four-games-with-colts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/183981\/","title":{"rendered":"Xavien Howard retires: Former All-Pro selection calls it a career after just four games with Colts"},"content":{"rendered":"

With his future status in the starting lineup in doubt, it appears one-time All-Pro cornerback\u00a0Xavien Howard<\/a>\u00a0has played his final down in the NFL. On Tuesday, the Colts<\/a>\u00a0placed Howard on reserve\/retired list<\/a>. The sudden retirement comes after just four games with the Colts, who are off to a surprising 3-1 start.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Howard, 32, signed with Indianapolis back in August after sitting out the entire 2024 season. He played his first previous eight seasons with the Dolphins, where he was a four-time Pro Bowler and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2020.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“When 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,” Howard wrote<\/a> in his retirement post. “Up to that point I had always put my family after football. I’m no longer willing to do so. So today I am retiring from the National Football League.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

Howard started in each of the Colts’ first four games this season and recovered a fumble during the team’s Week 1 win over the Dolphins<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While he continued to remain in the starting lineup, Howard had been struggling in recent weeks. During the Colts’ Week 4 loss to the Rams<\/a>, he allowed seven completions on 10 targets for 112 yards and a touchdown, according to Next Gen Stats (per the IndyStar)<\/a>. He was routinely matched up against Rams wideout Puka Nacua<\/a>, who caught 13 passes for 170 yards.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Not to my ability,” Howard said afterward when asked if his play has been up to snuff.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A 2016 second-round pick, Howard was an immediate starter for the Dolphins and was able to establish himself as one of the league’s best cornerbacks. During that span, he led the NFL<\/a> in interceptions twice, including career-high 10 picks during the 2020 season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Howard retires with 29 interceptions and 95 passes defensed in 104 career games. He made nearly $92 million in career earnings that was largely the byproduct of a five-year, $75 million extension he signed with Miami in May of 2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With Howard gone, Johnathan Edwards<\/a> — the only undrafted rookie that made the Colts’ initial 53-man roster — is slated to now start alongside veteran Charvarius Ward<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I’ve had a hell of a career,” Howard wrote, “and even though it’s ending in a unique way, I’m cool with that because for once I am putting my family first and I’m proud and excited about that decision.”\u00a0<\/p>\n