Former Oregon star CJ Verdell cut by Indianapolis Colts
After four standout seasons at Oregon, former Ducks’ running back CJ Verdell has been cut by the Indianapolis Colts, the team announced on Tuesday.
Verdell, who signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent this spring, was part of a wave of cuts. It had been reported throughout the preseason that he was in the mix for the No. 3 running back spot.
Verdell was Oregon’s starting running back from 2018-2021 and concluded his college career as one of the most productive ball carriers in program history. His 2,929 rushing yards are the sixth-most ever by a Duck, and his 27 touchdowns are the seventh-most.
As a sophomore in 2019, Verdell was a second-team all-conference pick and the offensive player of the game in Oregon’s Pac-12 Championship game victory over Utah after rushing for 208 yards and three touchdowns.
Last season, Verdell began generating Heisman Trophy buzz after leading the Ducks to an upset win over Ohio State with a 161-yard, two-touchdown performance.
But just three weeks later, he suffered a season-ending leg injury during Oregon’s loss at Stanford that ultimately marked the end of his college career. It was later revealed that he fractured his left fibula and dislocated his ankle.
Verdell spent the ensuing months rehabbing but participated in just the vertical jump and broad jump at the NFL Combine in March and put up underwhelming numbers in both events.
At Oregon’s pro day in April, he boosted his stock when he participated in every event and posted a 4.65-second 40-yard dash.
