INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts have re-signed defensive tackle Ed Johnson after they waived him last season following an arrest on a drug possession charge.

The Colts waived Johnson one day after the arrest in September. Now, the Colts hope the 6-foot-2, 296-pound run stopper has learned to take the team's rules seriously during the time away.

"We are giving Ed Johnson another opportunity to play for the Indianapolis Colts," Colts coach Jim Caldwell said in a statement Tuesday. "We dismissed Ed last year because he knowingly violated a team rule in the area of personal conduct. We consider every violation of a team rule or NFL policy on an individual case-by-case basis, and we evaluate a possible return to the team on that same basis."

Johnson originally signed as a free agent in 2007 and started 16 games. He started one game in 2008 before he was waived, and he's glad to be back.

"I would like to thank the Colts, especially (owner) Jim Irsay, for this second privilege to join the team," Johnson said in a statement. "I apologize to everyone for the situation I created last year."

Johnson has a history of disciplinary problems. He was temporarily expelled from Penn State in 2005 for violating the school policy on sexual misconduct and confining another student against the student's will. He was reinstated in 2006, but later suspended for the Outback Bowl for violating team rules.

Once considered a first-day draft prospect, the big defensive tackle went undrafted in the 2007 draft. He said he had learned from his mistake.

"I want to regain the trust of the organization, my teammates and our fans," he said.