The Colts are saying goodbye to Austin Collie, a wide receiver who showed great promise early in his career but faces an uncertain future because of multiple injuries.
“Austin was a warrior and an inspiration for the franchise and Colts fans around the world,” Colts owner Jim Irsay said in a statement. “He was a great player for us and a superstar for our community, and will always be a part of the Colts family.”
A 2009 fourth-round draft pick of the Colts, Collie made an immediate impact: Although 18 wide receivers were drafted ahead of him, he led all rookies that year
with seven receiving touchdowns and tied with Percy Harvin for the rookie lead with 60 catches.
But concussions began to plague him in 2010 and have remained an issue since then, and in 2012 he caught just one pass before suffering a season-ending torn patellar tendon.
It’s unclear what the future holds for the 27-year-old Collie, but his future will not be in Indianapolis.