Cornerback Chris Lammons Enters Colts Training Camp Eager to Secure Depth Role After Two Seasons of Steady Contribution

Chris Lammons isn’t the flashiest name on the Indianapolis Colts’ roster. He’s not the headliner in training camp pressers or the face on promotional posters. But as camp ramps up in Westfield and roster spots hang in the balance, Lammons is very much in the mix—quietly grinding, as he always has, with his sights set on earning a role in a competitive secondary. After playing in 18 games over the last two seasons for the Colts, Lammons is no stranger to what it takes to carve out a place in this defense. Now, heading into a crucial training camp stretch, he’s focused on proving his value once again as a dependable depth piece in the back end of the roster.

The journey of a role-playing defensive back like Lammons isn’t defined by headlines or highlight reels. It’s built on availability, versatility, special teams reliability, and trust—traits the Colts’ coaching staff has come to associate with the 28-year-old corner. Signed originally as a special teams asset with upside in nickel and dime packages, Lammons has developed into the kind of player who stays ready regardless of circumstance. He’s filled in during injuries, contributed on nearly every special teams unit, and earned the respect of teammates through his effort and accountability.

Now, entering his third year with the team, Lammons knows what’s at stake. The Colts have bolstered their secondary with younger talent and are exploring new packages designed to keep pace with the AFC’s high-octane passing attacks. For veterans on the fringe like Lammons, that means every rep, every meeting, and every moment in camp becomes part of the evaluation. Still, if pressure exists, Lammons doesn’t show it. His approach remains steady: compete, communicate, and capitalize on every opportunity.

In team drills early in camp, Lammons has already flashed the awareness and hustle that coaches look for in rotational defenders. He’s broken up multiple passes in seven-on-seven action, remained disciplined in zone coverage, and shown command of the playbook during walkthroughs. His work on special teams—an area where the margin for error is razor thin—has also remained crisp. Lammons has a knack for angles and anticipation, which makes him valuable on coverage units and as a gunner on punts.

What makes Lammons particularly valuable to a team like Indianapolis is his flexibility. He’s capable of playing both outside corner and in the slot, and his football IQ allows him to adapt quickly when injuries force lineup changes. That ability was on display during the 2024 season, when he stepped in midgame multiple times and held his own against quality receivers. While he’s not the biggest or fastest corner on the field, his technique, leverage, and instincts help him compete on every snap.

Veteran leadership also factors into Lammons’ role. In a secondary that includes younger talents like JuJu Brents, Dallis Flowers, and Jaylon Jones, having someone like Lammons—who’s seen different offenses and survived multiple camp battles—is valuable beyond what shows up on film. Teammates say he’s often the first to arrive at meetings, quick to mentor younger players, and vocal during film breakdowns. Coaches see that leadership as an extension of what he brings to game day: a calming presence, a player who won’t be rattled under pressure.

Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley has praised Lammons in the past for his professionalism and preparedness. During last season’s stretch of injury-laden weeks, it was Lammons who got the call to fill in against playoff-caliber opponents. While he wasn’t locking down top receivers, he didn’t blow assignments either—a crucial trait for a rotational corner in Bradley’s zone-heavy system. That trust has kept him around, and it’s that same trust he’ll aim to reinforce throughout this camp.

Another factor working in Lammons’ favor is his familiarity with the system. While younger corners may have more athletic upside, they’re still learning the language, alignments, and situational responsibilities that the Colts demand in their coverage schemes. Lammons, entering his sixth NFL season overall, processes the game faster and communicates effectively with safeties and linebackers—traits that could earn him a roster edge in close competitions.

Lammons’ football journey has never been about the easy road. Undrafted out of South Carolina in 2018, he bounced between practice squads and active rosters before finding a role with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he built a reputation as a core special teams player. His path to the Colts came through resilience, a willingness to do the dirty work, and a firm belief that consistency earns longevity in the league. That mindset hasn’t changed, even as younger challengers enter camp with speed, size, and potential.

While Lammons has never been a full-time starter, his career numbers and experience matter. Eighteen games in two seasons with the Colts may not sound like a lot, but when those appearances come scattered across weeks when injuries stack up and playoff pushes begin, they carry extra weight. He’s tackled in space, made open-field stops, recovered fumbles, and shown up in critical special teams moments. He understands his role—he embraces it—and that clarity has allowed him to focus solely on execution.

The Colts’ coaching staff knows how grueling these positional battles can be. Cornerback depth is one of the toughest puzzles to piece together because it often hinges on scheme fit, injury insurance, and weekly matchups. Lammons gives the team a reliable plug-and-play option who won’t need a month to get up to speed. That alone could be the difference between making the 53-man roster and becoming a late-summer casualty.

Still, the challenge is real. Indianapolis brought in multiple undrafted free agents with upside, and veterans like Kenny Moore II continue to command starting spots. There’s only so much room at the bottom of the depth chart, and players like Lammons know that one missed assignment or a step slow in coverage could cost them dearly. But if there’s a player who understands how to survive and thrive under those conditions, it’s Lammons.

His preparation during the offseason has reflected that understanding. According to team sources, he trained extensively in man coverage techniques and footwork drills, working with private DB coaches to sharpen his transitions and improve his top-end speed. He also emphasized special teams fundamentals, knowing full well that his roster value hinges heavily on his contributions in the third phase. That self-awareness is part of what has kept him employed in a league where average careers last barely three seasons.

Lammons also brings a chip-on-his-shoulder energy to camp, fueled not by resentment but by purpose. He’s been released before, spent time on the fringe, and understands how fragile an NFL career can be. But that’s also what gives him an edge. He’s playing for more than just a spot—he’s playing to prove, once again, that work ethic and dependability matter in a league obsessed with raw potential.

As the Colts progress through padded practices and head toward their first preseason game, all eyes will be on the top of the depth chart. But the bottom of the roster is where the real battles often take place. Players like Lammons won’t dominate headlines, but they’re the ones coaches trust in fourth quarters, on special teams, and in spot starts. That trust is earned every day, and so far, Lammons is doing exactly what he needs to do—showing up, locking in, and refusing to be overlooked.

The coming weeks will determine whether he cracks the final 53-man roster, lands on the practice squad, or draws interest from other teams should the numbers game go against him. But for now, Lammons is doing what he’s done his entire career—competing with quiet intensity, proving his worth through repetition and reliability, and showing that even in a league driven by stars, there’s always a place for the pros who just get the job done.