Willis has announced his retirement from the NFL to pursue a future in the ministry, Stephen Holder of The Athletic reports.
Willis was drafted by the Colts in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft and was a consistent producer in Indianapolis' secondary over the past three seasons. He ends his career with 219 tackles, 11 pass deflections, four interceptions, 3.5 sacks and one defensive touchdown. The Colts added veterans Rodney McLeod and Armani Watts in free agency this offseason and traded up to draft Nick Cross, so the trio of newcomers will likely absorb the majority Willis' missing snaps in 2022.
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Colts' Khari Willis: Only 11 appearances in 2021
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Willis recorded 63 tackles (43 solo), 1.5 sacks, five pass breakups, two interceptions and one fumble recovery across 11 games in 2021.
Willis missed a total of six games this season due to groin and calf injuries, plus a stint in the league's COVID-19 protocols. When healthy, Willis did handle a starting role, providing modest value in IDP formats due to his tackle numbers. The 25-year-old is set to play out the final year of his rookie contract with Indianapolis during the 2022 season.
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Colts' Khari Willis: Heading to COVID-19 list
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The Colts placed Willis (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday.
Per Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston, all 18 players that landed on the COVID-19 list Saturday tested positive for the virus. Willis thus will sit out Saturday's game in Arizona and also may be in danger sitting out Week 17 versus the Raiders. With Andrew Sendejo (concussion) also sidelined, the Colts will be down to Jahleel Addae, George Odum and practice squad call-up Will Redmond at safety Saturday.
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Colts' Khari Willis: Ties season high with nine tackles
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Willis totaled nine tackles (five solo) and a tackle for loss in Saturday's 27-17 win over the Patriots.
Willis tied his highest tackle total of the season, matching his output from Week 6 against Houston. His contributions helped the Colts shut New England out through three quarters, as the final score doesn't do the dominant victory justice.
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Colts' Khari Willis: Set for return
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Willis (calf) was activated from injured reserve Saturday.
Willis was sidelined by the calf issue since Week 9 and has missed four games since. He's likely to immediately step back into a big role defensively, as he recorded a snap rate of 90 percent or more in four of his seven games on the campaign. Willis has recorded 40 total tackles, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions in his seven contests.
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Colts' Khari Willis: Has chance to play Sunday
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Coach Frank Reich said Friday that he is "optimistic" Willis (calf) will be active for Sunday's matchup with the Texans, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.
Willis was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday and has practiced three days in a row. However, if he is going to be available for the first time since Week 8, the Colts will have to activate him from IR by Saturday at 4 p.m. ET. Before suffering his calf injury, Willis registered 40 tackles, two interceptions and 1.5 sacks in six games.
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Colts' Khari Willis: Out Thursday
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Willis (calf) is out for Thursday's against the the Jets.
Willis left Sunday's game against the Titans early with the injury and was never able to get a practice in this week. His absence will leave a big hole in the Colts secondary, which already has multiple pieces on IR. George Odum will likely have to step up and start at strong safety.
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Colts' Khari Willis: Good to go for Week 2
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Willis (illness) is listed as active ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Rams.
Willis was dealing with an illness this week, but he participated fully in practice Friday and is active for Sunday's contest. The 25-year-old played 54 defensive snaps in Week 1 and registered seven tackles and half a sack.
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Colts' Khari Willis: Clears concussion protocol
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Willis cleared the concussion protocol Thursday, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.
Willis can now be considered fully on track for Saturday's wild-card matchup in Buffalo. The 24-year-old safety generally handles an every-down role on defense, so his presence will be significant as Indianapolis' secondary looks to contain Josh Allen.
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Colts' Khari Willis: Out with concussion
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Willis suffered a concussion and won't return to Sunday's game against the Steelers, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.
The 24-year-old had six tackles and one sack before being forced from the contest during the second half. Tavon Wilson should work at strong safety while Willis is unavailable.
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Colts' Khari Willis: Clear to face Tennessee
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Willis (ribs/shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Titans, Andrew Walker of the Colts' official site reports.
The 24-year-old was considered questionable with the rib and shoulder issues, but he'll be suiting up for Sunday's divisional matchup. Willis has missed only a handful of defensive snaps all season and is playing a major role in the Colts secondary.
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Colts' Khari Willis: Gets sack in season opener
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Willis started at strong safety and had three total tackles and a sack in Sunday's loss at Jacksonville.
Willis contributed in the pass rush with a sack, but he struggled in pass coverage. He gave up a touchdown on the only occasion he was directly targeted in the passing game, according to Pro Football Focus. The rookie fourth-round pick made nine starts in 2019, and proved to be a useful run stopper.
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Colts' Khari Willis: Out against Jaguars
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Willis (neck) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
Willis suffered a stinger in Week 16's win over the Panthers, and it will force him to miss his second game of the year. Starting safeties Clayton Geathers and Malik Hooker are good to go, and George Odum figures to pick up the reserve snaps left behind by Willis.
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Colts' Khari Willis: Practices in full
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Willis (concussion) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Willis is making good progress in his recovery from a concussion, but it remains to be seen whether he's officially managed to fully clear the league's protocol for head injuries. It's possible that the 23-year-old still needs to meet with an independent neurologist. In any case, the rotational safety appears to be trending towards retaking the field against the Titans on Sunday.
