Former Lions running back Stevan Ridley signs with the Colts

The Detroit Lions released running back Stevan Ridley on Thursday, now they’ll be scouting him for the opening week of the regular season.

Just three days after being released from the Lions, Ridley has signed with the Indianapolis Colts, owner Jim Irsay announced on Sunday afternoon. Ridley was released by the Lions after failing to make an impact through two games and his competition Dwayne Washington emerged as both a special teams threat and a talented runner.

Ridley will join the running back crew of Frank Gore, Robert Turbin, Trey Williams, Jordan Todman and Josh Ferguson in Indy. Among that crew, Ridley will certainly have a decent shot at a roster spot, but it’s hard to see this move as much beyond an early attempt at getting the inside look on the Lions, who are the Colts’ Week 1 opponent. Ridley spent all offseason with Detroit, and with the Lions-Colts game just two weeks away, Indianapolis may just be trying to get any scoop on the Lions’ game plan for the season.

Regardless, Ridley will have some extra motivation for that game, if he ends up making the final gameday roster.