By Myra Bean

For the first time in 13 years, Deshea Townsend did not don a NFL jersey Sunday.

On Wednesday, the Indianapolis Colts cut Townsend, a 35-year-old cornerback from Batesville. The Colts (6-3) had 14 players on injured reserve.

In a text message Sunday morning, Townsend cited injuries in the running back and wide receiver corps, and an abundance of cornerbacks, that led to his dismissal. The Colts needed to make room on the roster to replace those injured players until they are able to play again.

Townsend did say the organization said there is a possibility they will bring him back.

He is in good spirits about the decision saying that it is “part of the business.”

“Now I get paid not to play,” he wrote. “God knows his plan.”

Townsend spent the first 12 NFL years with the Pittsburgh Steelers but they did not renew his contract when he became a free agent in March. In August Townsend signed a one-year contract with the Colts. He finished with 10 total tackles for the Colts.