Former Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch, who was claimed off reserve/retired waivers by the Green Bay Packers in April, has left the team for personal reasons, Packers.com has learned.
An option quarterback star at the University of Nebraska, Crouch became just the third player in NCAA Division-I history to amass 3,000 rushing yards and 4,000 passing yards over a career.
He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft, but announced his retirement less than five months later because he wanted to play quarterback, and the Rams planned to use him as a receiver.
Consequently, Crouch spent what would have been his rookie season out of football.
The Packers claimed him April 18, and allowed Crouch to take the majority of his reps at quarterback in the team's two offseason mini-camps. Crouch also took limited reps at punt returner.
As recently as Saturday, Crouch spoke of his determination to make the team at any position.
"I would love to make this football team," he said at a luncheon with members of the Wisconsin media.
"It's been two years where I've been unsure about what I'm doing and it would be nice to be on a roster ... I wouldn't say it's quarterback or nothing."
Crouch reported on time to Packers training camp and practiced with rookies and other first-year players over the weekend. Veterans joined practices Tuesday.
Crouch was not at the practice field.
