INDIANAPOLIS -- Linebacker Shaun Phillips has no negative feelings toward the Tennessee Titans. But at the same time, he knew his days there were numbered. The more Titans lost games, the more time Phillips spent on the sideline watching as the coaching staff wanted to give the younger players more playing time.

Now Phillips is on a team that’s likely headed to the playoffs after the Titans released him this week.

"(The Titans) apologized for not getting me on the field, but they’re kind of pitching the tent for the season," the new Indianapolis Colts' linebacker said. "Great people down there, great coaches. There’s no bad blood. I can’t say anything negative about the guys; just one of those situations. I can’t be more thankful for this opportunity (with the Colts)."

Colts defensive coordinator Greg Manusky said they will use Phillips in a number of different situations behind Bjoern Werner and Erik Walden.

"Using him a little bit on third down, first and second down in our base stuff," Manusky said. "He has a little bit of familiarity with the calls. Getting another pass-rusher who can spell Bjoern and spell Walden and Jonathan (Newsome) at times."

Phillips only had two sacks and 19 tackles in 11 games this season. Phillips, who has 81.5 sacks in his career, said he still has a lot left because of the limited playing time he got in Tennessee this season. How quickly he gets up to speed with the system will likely dictate if he’s active for Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins.

"I feel pretty good," he said. "I got a couple hundred plays. Right now I feel good barring any major setbacks. I haven’t had any major surgeries or anything like that, so I’m taking it day to day. I’m ready to contribute wherever they need me."