Kapena Gushiken didn’t see Indianapolis coming, even if the Colts had been tracking him for months.
The rookie defensive back thought he had done enough in Philadelphia to stick. He was productive in training camp, flashed on defense, and made his presence felt on special teams. That’s why the waiver wire move caught him off guard.
“I was under the impression that I was going to be in Philly for the season,” Gushiken said.
The Eagles may have hoped to slip him through waivers. The Colts weren’t about to let that happen.
Indianapolis had shown real interest in Gushiken well before the draft, bringing him in for a top-30 visit and then trying to sign him once the draft wrapped up. When he became available, they moved fast.
“They were pretty high on me,” Gushiken said. “Coming out after the draft, it was between them and Philly.
I ended up choosing Philly, but what’s meant to be is meant to be. We’re here now.”
For Indianapolis, the appeal is obvious. Gushiken is listed at 5-9, 189 pounds and brings the kind of versatility teams covet in the secondary. The Colts want him at nickel, and they also see him as a valuable piece on special teams.
“We got a chance to get a guy that can play the nickel,” Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard said. “We see an athletic, fast guy with tremendous character. We really liked him on our visit, so it’ll be a good addition to the team.”
His special teams value is part of the package, too. Philadelphia used him as a gunner, and that kind of speed and edge plays anywhere in coverage units.
“Certainly, somebody that could add value for us now and moving forward,” Indianapolis special teams coordinator Brian Mason said. “I think he's just somebody that, when you look at some of those attributes we've talked about, what makes a good special teams player?
They play with passion, relentless effort. They're tough.
I think those fit all of the things that Kap has shown on film so far.”
Right now, the Colts have him penciled in behind Justin Walley at nickel, while the team has more depth at safety. But that setup can change quickly, and Gushiken knows the immediate challenge is learning Lou Anarumo’s defense as fast as possible.
“The only downside to it was how quick the transition was, being able to pick up a brand-new playbook,” Gushiken said. “I dedicated so much time in Philly to picking up their playbook, and I was playing multiple positions.”
He expected to be in Philadelphia. Instead, he landed in Indianapolis with a new playbook and a fresh chance to carve out a role.
In Other News...
Colts Week 1 Matchup Just Changed In A Big Way
The Colts Week 1 trip to Baltimore already had plenty of intrigue, and now the matchup looks a little different up front. Ravens defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike will not play after a neck injury required surgery, a notable loss for a defense that likes to set the tone in the trenches. For Indianapolis, that could matter immediately, especially in a game where Jonathan Taylor and the Colts run game figure to be central to the plan.
Indianapolis still has its own questions to sort through, of course, with DeForest Buckner anchoring one side of the line and Quenton Nelson again set to be a major factor in how the offense holds up. Tanor Bortolini is part of that conversation too as the Colts keep working through the details that always matter in an opener. But Madubuikes absence removes one of Baltimores most disruptive pieces, and it gives the Colts a little more room to attack a test that was never going to be simple. [Read more 🡒]
3 Colts Who Could Decide Whether Week 1 Gets Away Fast
The Colts do not have to look far to find the players whose first regular-season snaps could say a lot about how far this opener can go. Jalen Travis is moving into a full-time starting job at right tackle, Arden Key is part of the defensive end rotation the defense will lean on against Baltimore, and Justin Walley is set to open the year as the nickel cornerback after missing his rookie season because of injury.
Each one is stepping into a role that carries more weight than a normal Week 1 assignment. Travis has to help stabilize the edge, Key has to bring dependable pressure and run support, and Walley has to hold up in the slot in a game where the Ravens can force defenses to cover every inch of the field. If one of those spots wobbles early, the Colts could be chasing the game fast, and the way those three handle the moment may matter well beyond Sunday. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Have A Daniel Jones Reunion Decision To Make Fast
The Colts are still sorting through the edges of their receiver depth, and Darius Slayton is a name worth watching. The veteran wideout was recently released by the Giants, which immediately put him on the open market with multiple teams reportedly interested. For Indianapolis, the fit is easy to understand: the receiving group is already led by Keenan Allen, Alec Pierce and Josh Downs, but there is always room to consider another proven option, especially one with some built-in familiarity at the quarterback position.
Slaytons connection to Daniel Jones gives the Colts a possible shortcut if they decide to act quickly, and that is part of what makes this one intriguing. There has been no confirmed interest or signing from Indianapolis, but the opportunity is there if the team wants to add more depth and a receiver Jones already knows well. In a market where capable veterans rarely stay available for long, the Colts may not have much time to decide whether this reunion makes enough sense to pursue. [Read more 🡒]