Though special team players don’t ever get the credit they deserve, the players filling those roles provide immense value on game days. That’s why the Indianapolis Colts made a trade at roster cuts to acquire linebacker Grant Stuard from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Given the depth in the linebacker room, we shouldn’t expect to see Stuard much on the defensive side of the ball. Instead, his value and role will come in being a special teams ace as he comes into his second season.
Filling the role previously held by players like Matthew Adams and Jordan Glasgow, general manager Chris Ballard feels Stuard can be special on special teams.
“We had a chance to acquire Grant (Stuard), who we think as special teams player is really special. We lost some guys, so we’ve kind of been looking for that guy that can come in and fill that role,” Ballard told the media this week. “Kind of like (Jordan) Glasgow did, Matt Adams. This kid we think is pretty special on teams.”
Trading for Stuard meant parting ways with impressive undrafted rookie Sterling Weatherford, who was ultimately claimed by the Chicago Bears and Matt Eberflus’ defense.
But Stuard seems to be the type of player who will fit in perfectly with the culture of the locker room. He led the Buccaneers in special teams stops during his rookie season and made a strong impression on his teammates.
Losing a promising player like Weatherford is tough, but the Colts have a lot of confidence in the type of player Stuard can be.
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