Germaine Pratt Reportedly Signs Colts Contract in NFL FA After Release from Raiders

The Indianapolis Colts have signed linebacker Germaine Pratt, who the Las Vegas Raiders released on Monday.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network delivered the news on Pratt, who has signed a one-year deal.

Pratt spent his first six seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, amassing 616 tackles over 96 games (88 starts). Last offseason, Pratt requested a trade. Eventually, the Bengals released Pratt, saving $5.85 million in salary cap space for the 2025 season.

He then signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract with the Raiders last June.

Pratt started the Raiders' first four games, racking up 25 tackles (10 solo) and two pass breakups.

However, Pratt did not travel with the team to Indianapolis last Sunday, when the Colts beat the visiting Raiders 40-6. On Monday, Raiders head coach Pete Carroll announced that the team released Pratt, adding that the Raiders "thought it was time to go in a different direction."

Pratt wasn't on the injury report last week, making him in effect a healthy inactive player. Given his release a day later coupled with Carroll's comments, there could have been something brewing behind the scenes.

Regardless, Pratt now has a fresh start with the team that just crushed his old one. He joins a 4-1 squad that's firing on all cylinders through five weeks, and their record is good enough to top the AFC South alongside the Jacksonville Jaguars.

This signing also signals a reunion with Pratt's former defensive coordinator with the Cincinnati Bengals, Lou Anarumo, who coached Pratt for all six of his seasons in town.

Pratt's first chance to suit up for the Colts will be this Sunday at home against the Arizona Cardinals, who have lost three straight after starting 2-0.