The Indianapolis Colts are part of the American Football Conference South division of the National Football League. Lucas Oil Stadium has been home to the Colts since the 2008 season. In their 69 years history and winning two Super Bowls, they have also had some of the best linebackers in their team.
Here is a list of the top 5 Indianapolis Colts Best Linebackers Of All-Time
1. Robert Mathis
As a pass rush specialist, Mathis made an early impact in his first season, appearing in all 16 regular-season contests and racking up 20 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles in the process. Despite only playing as a specialist and starting one game in his second season, Mathis improved his numbers to 36 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and 6 forced fumbles.
Even though Mathis missed three games in his third season, he established the Colts record for straight games with at least one sack and finished the season with 54 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and 8 forced fumbles, even though he was injured.
2. Gary Brackett
Brackett began his career as a reserve middle linebacker in 2003 and 2004 before earning the starting role and leading the defense during the team’s best run. He finished his career with 68 tackles and three interceptions as a starter in 2005.
It’s hard to overstate his impact, as he played in 86 games with 712 tackles, 21 for loss, 13 quarterback hits, and 12 interceptions.
3. Duane Bickett
Bickett only missed three games during his time in Indianapolis from 1985 to 1993, and he was a constant force in the team’s success. He didn’t skip a beat, not even for a play or a season.
In Indianapolis, he had 50 tackles for loss, nine interceptions, nine fumbles forced, and 14 more fumbles recovered. Always near the football, he appeared to be situated either on one or the other side of its axis.
During his stint, he recorded 1,052 tackles, which remains a franchise record.
4. Jeff Herrod
It wasn’t long after his debut season that he became a starter for eight straight years, having being drafted in the ninth round in 1988. For the Colts, Herrod has 1,149 tackles in 123 starts, 14.5 sacks, and 5 interceptions over his first seven seasons as a starter.
5. Cato June
An Indianapolis Colts standup linebacker who has made the Pro Bowl three times. During his four seasons with the Tampa-2 defense, June intercepted 10 passes, had 20 tackles for loss, and had 13 tackles for loss among his 363 total tackles (three as a starter).
