Colts sign ex-Chiefs LB Justin Houston to boost pass rush

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts have signed free agent pass rusher Justin Houston.

It’s the first big splash the Colts have made this offseason. Until now, Colts general manager Chris Ballard had focused primarily on re-signing his own players. The only other free agent he added to the roster was former Carolina receiver Devin Funchess.

Houston spent the past eight seasons in Kansas City, where he was an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Ballard worked previously with the Chiefs and saw the 6-foot-3, 258-pound Houston emerge as a four-time Pro Bowler.

He has made 96 career starts, recording 377 tackles and 78½ sacks and was a first-team All-Pro in 2014, when he led the NFL with 22 sacks.