Transplanted a croton - strange roots - now in shock?

I moved a croton from my front flower box to the yard. When I dug it out, it had one very large root and not much else. The other readings I've found say that there is a root ball? I planted & watered it, and it has gone into shock. Leaves have not yet dropped off, but are wilted and has been for about 4 days. Any possibility this is a hearty enough plant to rebound. It is basically about 22 inches tall and not expansive. Poor thing - I was only trying to give it a better life. Sites have said that cuttings are easy to root, so I am hoping that this will come back at some point. I live in South Florida.