Former Indiana Hoosiers standout Jason Spriggs will receive a chance in his home state. The Indiana native is signing with the Colts, Zak Keefer of The Athletic tweets. The Colts also signed defensive end Bryan Cox Jr., according to ProFootballNetwork.com’s Aaron Wilson (on Twitter).
Although Spriggs has not lived up to his second-round draft slot, he has provided depth for multiple teams since his Packers tenure ended. Spriggs worked as a backup for the Bears in 2020 and the Falcons last season.
The Packers drafted Spriggs 48th overall in 2016, trading up for the ex-Indiana All-American. Spriggs started four seasons, at tackle and guard, finishing his Hoosiers run as their right guard in 2015. He helped the Big Ten team produce two 1,000-yard rushers (Jordan Howard and Devine Redding) during his All-American senior year.
Green Bay used Spriggs as a starter nine times, primarily during a five-start 2017. But that season also featured two IR placements. A 2019 Spriggs back injury led to a season on Green Bay’s injured reserve; he left as a free agent in 2020. He played for the veteran minimum in each of the past two seasons. Spriggs, 28, started one game during his Bears and Falcons stays.
The Elkhart, Indiana, native stands to compete for a backup role in Indianapolis as well. The Colts are in an interesting place on their O-line, having seen longtime guard Mark Glowinski join the Giants in free agency. Left tackle Eric Fisher looks likely to be a Colts one-and-done, leaving two spots open. Danny Pinter and Matt Pryor are the favorites to fill those posts, respectively. The team did draft Central Michigan tackle Bernhard Raimann in Round 3, however.
Cox, 27, has not played since the 2020 season, but he worked out for the Colts at their minicamp this week. The second-generation NFLer has spent time with the Panthers, Browns and Bills — mostly as a backup. The team also waived defensive end Cullen Wick on Friday.