The majority of tough roster news typically happens prior to the start of the season, but one former Chicago Bears starter just found out he was being released after the conclusion of Week 1.
Running back Khalil Herbert was informed he was being released from the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad today. In his place, the Colts signed another veteran running back to their practice squad: Ameer Abdullah.
The past two years must have been quite the whirlwind for the 2021 sixth-round pick out of Virginia Tech, but today's news was the ultimate gut punch.
Former Bears RB Khalil Herbert's career might be close to over after his recent release
Herbert is 27 years old, which is usually the point in time where many running backs fall off. It's typically that gap between 27 and 29 that sees veterans take a dive, unless your name is Derrick Henry or Saquon Barkley, of course.
But, the fact Herbert was cut and replaced by the 32-year-old Abdullah is a tough pill to swallow. Abdullah continues to bounce around the league after being a second-round pick by the Detroit Lions back in 2015 and, somehow, he isn't done yet.
Last year, Abdullah rushed 66 times for 311 yards and also caught 40 passes (three scores through the air) for the Las Vegas Raiders. He was still relevant, believe it or not.
Herbert, on the other hand, carried just eight times for 16 yards before the Bears traded him to the Cincinnati Bengals for a seventh-round pick. After the 2024 season was over, the Bengals did not re-sign Herbert. Instead, the former Bears inked a deal with the Indianapolis Colts in free agency.
This was Herbert's chance at a second contract after once being the Bears' starting running back for a total of 12 games in between injuries to the likes of David Montgomery. But, his second contract failed to make it to Week 2 of this season, sadly enough.
Hopefully, for Herbert's sake, he is able to catch on with another squad and prolong his career for a little while longer. If he doesn't take another carry in the NFL, he ends his career with a total of 1,905 rushing yards on 400 carries and nine touchdowns.