Indianapolis Colts

QB Whitehurst in familiar role as Matt Hasselbeck's backup

Published Nov. 18, 2015 1:47 p.m. ET

foxsports

New Colts backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst arrives in Indianapolis in a familiar position.

Whitehurst, who was claimed off waivers from the Tennessee Titans last week, will back up up Matt Hasselbeck with starter Andrew Luck out with a lacerated kidney.

It's a role he's filled before, having served as Hasselbeck's understudy with Seattle Seahawks in 2010.

“If something were to happen, my plan is to be there and be ready and help this team win,” Whitehurst said, per the team's official website.

“Obviously, Matt is going to start and has been playing great this year, 2-0. I think all the backup quarterbacks around the league here have appreciated what he’s done.”

However, if worse comes to worse and Whitehurst is called on to play, he can lean on experience knowing he's done it before.

With Hasselbeck unable to play in Seattle's 2010 regular season finale, Whitehurst filled in, helping the Seahawks clinch a playoff berth.

Hasselbeck said he's pleased to have the 10-year veteran on board in Indianapolis. Whitehurst started five games for the Titans last season, including two against the Colts.

“I wasn’t sure how (finding a backup) was going to shake out," Hasselbeck said. "I knew they were probably going to bring somebody in. It was fortunate for us Tennessee let him go, and we were able to get him.”