Current Detroit Lions’ offensive lineman Dan Skipper, who spent the 2023 preseason with the Indianapolis Colts, had some harsh words recently for the organization.
Skipper would go undrafted in 2017 out of Arkansas and has spent most of his NFL career on practice squads. In fact, it wasn’t until this 2024 season with the Lions that Skipper made his first 53-man roster out of training camp.
This season he has filled in at tackle when needed and been a key red zone contributor for the Lions when they go heavy with their six offensive linemen personnel package.
But rewinding to August of 2023, Skipper, who was a free agent for much of the summer, was signed to the Colts training camp roster and played in all three preseason games for Indianapolis.
When it came time for rosters to be trimmed from 90 to 53, the way the Colts handled it “really stung,” said Skipper to ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler in a recent article. Rather than GM Chris Ballard or head coach Shane Steichen letting Skipper know that he had been released, it was a member of the Colts pro personnel staff.
“If you’re going to fire me, at least be man enough to have the head man fire me,” said Skipper.
In the six previous times before the 2023 season that Skipper had been cut, he had spoken with the GM, head coach, or both. But not with the Colts.
This story comes on the heels of a tumultuous season for the Colts, where the team’s culture and accountability–or lack thereof–have already been brought into question.