INDIANAPOLIS -- Daniel Adongo didn't even know how to put pads on when the Indianapolis Colts signed him in July.

The closest the Kenyan has come to playing in an NFL game was when the press box announcer mistakenly announced that he'd caught a 7-yard touchdown pass in Indianapolis' preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Daniel Adongo, who played rugby at the highest level in South Africa but had never played football, was added to the Colts' active roster. AP Photo/Scott Boehm

But now, four months and one transcontinental flight later, the former rugby standout has been added to the Colts' active roster.

"I think back to his very first workout, when we first brought him in after a 17-hour flight to Atlanta and a connection up here ... to try out, [and] from what we saw to right now, it's night and day," coach Chuck Pagano said. "The guy is a smart guy, we know from a physical standpoint he's very, very athletic. He can run, he's big, he's strong and he's a tireless worker."

The Colts added the linebacker to the active roster Tuesday after he'd spent the first 13 weeks of the season on the practice squad. Pagano said any playing time Adongo gets will be on special teams because the Colts already have five outside linebackers on the active roster.

"I think it's a good tribute that I put in the effort and hard work," Adongo said. "I'm excited for the opportunity. But with that said, I'm not going to let that excitement get to me."

Colts general manager Ryan Grigson has never been shy about going off the beaten path to find talent, and this is the first time Adongo has played football. He played rugby at the highest level in South Africa.