The red jersey will come off on Sunday night as Joe Callahan will suit up for the Green Bay Packers. Photo by Mark Hoffmann, USA TODAY Sports Images

The 2016 NFL preseason was scheduled to open on Sunday night in Canton, Ohio, and it seemed Wesley alumnus Joe Callahan would be the one taking snaps for the Green Bay Packers.

However, the game didn't happen. 

"Due to safety concerns with the condition of the playing surface in Canton, tonight's game between the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers has been cancelled," a release from the NFL and the NFL players association said. "We are very disappointed for our fans, but player safety is our primary concern, and as a result, we could not play an NFL game on this field tonight."

Callahan, who is third on the depth chart this week, appeared likely to get the call because backup quarterback Brett Hundley is hurt. He missed practices on Wednesday and Thursday because of an ankle injury. Aaron Rodgers, the Packers' starter, was unlikely to be risked in the first preseason game.

The Packers were slated to face the Indianapolis Colts.

The 2015 D3football.com first team All-America selection at quarterback and the Gagliardi Trophy winner is aiming at a rare accomplishment. Very few Division III alumni have appeared in a regular-season game at quarterback in the NFL. Monmouth alum Alex Tanney played in the Tennessee Titans' regular season finale this past January.

Tanney played in the Hall of Fame Game in 2013 for the Dallas Cowboys. 

"I'm going to prepare for as many plays as they give me and make sure that I prepare as much as possible," Callahan told ESPN's Jason Wilde before Thursday's practice.

Callahan completed 70 percent of his passes last season for the 11-2 Wolverines, throwing for 5,063 yards and 55 touchdowns. He also ran for 398 yards and seven more scores, helping lead Wesley to the national quarterfinals.