Kelly Lyell

kellylyell@coloradoan.com

The New Orleans Saints waived former CSU quarterback Garrett Grayson on Wednesday, multiple media outlets reported.

Pro Football Talk first reported Grayson had been waived, citing an anonymous source, and the New Orleans Times-Picayune later confirmed the report in a story on its website.

Grayson, Colorado State University’s career passing leader, was selected by the Saints in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft. Coach Sean Payton said at the time he hoped Grayson could develop into the team’s quarterback of the future to replace Drew Brees whenever the nine-time Pro Bowl selection retires.

That could still be the plan for Grayson, who could be signed to the team’s 10-man practice squad once he clears waivers.

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Grayson’s release leaves the Saints with two quarterbacks on the active roster, Brees and backup Luke McCown. The team had not confirmed the roster move and still listed Grayson as the No. 3 quarterback on an unofficial depth chart on its website.

Grayson threw two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, in a preseason loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He completed 39 of 70 passes for 409 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions in the preseason for a quarterback rating of 58.6. Brees’ preseason rating was 82.9, and McCown’s was 79.8.

Grayson threw for 9,191 yards in his four seasons at CSU, shattering the school record of 7,142 by Kelly Stouffer. He holds career records for completions (688), attempts (1,085) and touchdown passes (64), as well as single-season records for passing yards (4,006 in 2014), completions (297 in 2013), attempts (479 in 2013) and touchdown passes (32 in 2014).

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