The Indianapolis Colts announced on Friday that tight end Darion Griswold has been waived from the team’s PUP and will revert to the team’s injured reserve should he clear waivers.
Originally signed by the Colts as a priority undrafted rookie free agent following this year’s NFL Draft, the former Arkansas State standout’s production didn’t necessarily “wow” on paper.
Specifically, Griswold caught a meager 13 receptions for 187 receiving yards and 2 touchdown receptions during his senior campaign with the Red Wolves in what was a limited passing offense.
However, it’s his size at 6’5″, 255 pounds and athletic ability as a former basketball standout that made Griswold an intriguing flyer for the Colts. He demonstrated considerable speed during the Colts OTA’s for being such a big bodied player at the tight end position.
Nevertheless, with a preseason game on Sunday, the Colts need as many healthy bodies as possible, especially since the team only plans to play their starters in very limited action.
It’s possible that Griswold’s injury was lingering longer than initially anticipated, and the team was forced to make a roster decision due to constraints. Griswold’s not the first promising rookie tight end that was with the team during OTA’s that the Colts have at least temporarily moved on from, as fellow UDFA Mike Miller was waived last week from the non-football injury list.
Right now, the Colts tight ends are Dwayne Allen, Jack Doyle, Erik Swoope, Chase Coffman, Emil Igwenagu, and Konrad Reuland.
However, it appears that Griswold showed enough earlier this offseason that he should get another look with the Colts next offseason–should he actually clear waivers and continue to develop his game.