The indianapolis colts are making a change. For most, it won't seem like a big change - there's little chance it will affect their opening day roster. Many fans will have never heard of Dalton Crossan, and now he's gone. Justice Liggins could make a name for himself in the preseason, but will probably end up as an afterthought in September. But hey - the transaction mill in the NFL always provides endless fascination and intrigue.
Out with Crossan...
Crossan was waived by the Colts on Tuesday, with an injury designation. If he manages to clear waivers, he will end up on the team's injured reserve list, rather than in free agency.
The team signed him as an undrafted free agent back in May. He didn't impress very much during his preseason debut, however, averaging just one yard per carry on three rushes while catching two passes for 11 yards. He received 15 snaps on offense and 10 on special teams against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Crossan was a collegiate star, but not at the FBS level. Instead, he played for the University of New Hampshire at the FCS level. He recorded an insane 5,189 all-purpose yards and 36 touchdowns, serving as a running back, receiver, and kick returner. He was attempting to nab Josh Ferguson's spot on the Colts depth chart with an impressive training camp, but that attempt has come to an end.
...in with Liggins
To replace Crossan, the Colts signed Liggins. He actually played a couple of preseason games in the Canadian Football League as a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He caught a couple of passes - including a touchdown - and fielded a kickoff during his brief two-game stint north of the border. Prior to that, he caught 102 passes for 1,166 receiving yards and eight touchdowns at Stephen F.
Austin, another FCS program. He stands at 6-foot-1 and weighs 210 pounds.
It might be a tough road for Liggins to make the Indianapolis roster, though. There are already several established wide receivers on the roster and plenty more competing to fill out the roster. He also won't have Andrew Luck to work with during practice or preseason games, limiting his opportunities to look good courtesy of a great quarterback.
Among the receivers competing for a job on the back-end of the roster are Quan Bray and fellow rookies Brian Riley and Marvin Bracy. Liggins is going to have to flash some real potential, even just to earn a practice squad slot at the start of the season.
