It's difficult to imagine what Indianapolis Colts safety Daniel Scott's goals were entering his third year in the NFL. After two consecutive seasons in which injury ended his year before Summer had officially begun, one might figure the former University of California star was thinking in terms of baby steps.

Scott suffered an ACL tear during OTAs in his rookie season, then tore an Achilles tendon at just about the same time last year. Both injuries cost him an entire season. He entered his third season as a 26-year-old who had not yet made it to training camp, something of an unlucky afterthought on a team that was eager for a rebirth.

If anyone knows about professional rebirth, it is Daniel Scott. When he began training camp in Grand Park last month, it constituted a small personal rebirth. A baby step, perhaps. Scott, as it turned out, was not content with baby steps.

Scott was an intriguing prospect when Indy chose him in the fifth round of the 2023 draft. A plus athlete, he had excellent speed for a safety. He tested very well across the board and could look very good in coverage.

The knock on him was that he was reckless. He could run himself out of position or miss a tackle because he was going for a knockout shot. He was the kind of prospect who brings a lot to the table, but needs coaching and experience to turn into a quality pro.

His back-to-back injuries meant he didn't get on-field reps that would have been of benefit, but they did not keep him from learning. Scott made it point to be around the team as much as his rehab would allow, attending meetings, helping out at practices, doing anything he could to absorb the defense, even if he could play it on the field.

Coming into his third year, he needed to show that he had, in fact, picked up better on-field discipline by watching, and he needed to show that he was still the physical player that had initially caught the Colts' eye.

Scott played in his first game when Indy played Baltimore two weeks ago. He recorded his first two tackles in an NFL preseason game. Then he followed with another two against Green Bay.

Scott entered the final preseason game against the Bengals with a roster spot on the line. He played the best game of his short career. On the Bengals' opening drive, he made two sure tackles on short completions as Indy's defense forced a punt.

The next time Cincy got the ball, Scott picked off a Desmond Ridder pass and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown. He would make one other tackle in the second half, before turning the game over to others. By the time he was through for the night, the Bengals had scored just one touchdown. So had Daniel Scott.

Was his performance during preseason good enough to win him a roster spot? As of this writing, that remains unknown, but he has a very good chance.

In the type of odd twist of fate that seems commonplace in the NFL, a door may have opened for Scott when another very promising young safety, Hunter Wohler, suffered a Lisfranc injury and was moved to injured reserve midway through training camp. Until that point, Wohler, like Scott, a Day Three draft pick, was building an excellent case for making the team.

With Wohler out, Daniel Scott seemed to step right into his shoes. It is a difficult blow for Wohler, to be sure, but if he needs inspiration or a role model as he heals up and prepares for his next chance, he doesn't have to look very far to find one.

After a couple of painful, aborted attempts, Daniel Scott is finally playing in the NFL and is making the most of it.

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