It’s been a hectic 24 hours for the Green Bay Packers as they first cut down the roster to 53 on Tuesday afternoon and then spent Wednesday morning building back up a 16 member practice squad.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur then took his 2022 initial roster onto Ray Nitschke Field for a two hour, padded practice, calling it a “game-like, four quarter” workout. There were plenty of unscripted plays to see how the guys line up, communicate and execute. Aaron Rodgers called it the best practice of the entire camp. It was also their last workout of the week as the team will get Thursday through Sunday off before returning next Monday for the week one preparation for the Minnesota Vikings.
Brian Gutekunst talks up his roster.
General Manager Brian Gutekunst met reporters to explain his roster deliberations and decisions. He thanked everyone he had to release for the effort they put in during camp and said this year, more than any other in his five years as GM, concentrated on finding players that can specifically help the special teams. Time was, players drafted at a specific position came in to compete for a roster spot or starting job and then be taught the intricacies of the third phase. That wasn’t the case this year however, a bit of a philosophical change.
Case in point. The Packers put in one waiver claim with special teams in mind, getting awarded 6th year veteran Rudy Ford who was released yesterday by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Drafted as a corner out of Auburn by Arizona in the 6th round in 2017, Ford quickly excelled on teams. He’s appeared in 56 games in his career that took him to Philadelphia in 2020 where he led the team in special teams tackles with 11. Last year with the Jaguars he played in 15 games with four starts. He’s played 985 special teams snaps as a pro. To make room, the Packers waived Micah Abernathy, the mid-camp free agent signing from the USFL who impressed enough to pass the final cut. The Packers hope to bring Abernathy back to the practice squad by Thursday.
As for the squad, it quickly filled up with a dozen players who were all with the team in camp. Running backs Patrick Taylor and Tyler Goodson have returned, along with two defensive linemen who were solid all summer in Jack Heflin and Chris Slayton. Also coming back are quarterback Danny Etling, wide receiver Travis Fulgham, defensive backs Rico Gafford and Kiondre Thomas, outside linebackers La’Darius Hamilton and Kobe Jones, inside backer Ray Wilborn and offensive tackle Caleb Jones. There was a report Green Bay will also add defensive back Benjie Franklin who was cut by Jacksonville but the team hasn’t announced that addition.
Mason Crosby sits and stretches at first practice with the team.
More on the special teams. Mason Crosby was elevated from the Physically Unable to Perform list right before the cut deadline where he would have had to miss the first month if he remained on the PUP list. Gutekunst is hopeful Crosby will be the week one kicker but they plan on bringing back Ramiz Ahmed to the practice squad just in case.
Before the team took the field, LaFleur invited the newest Packer member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, LeRoy Butler, to speak to the squad. LaFleur said it was a very impressive message about what being a Green Bay Packer is all about. The day began with another former safety returning.
Morgan Burnett returns to retire as a Packer.
Gutekunst announced the signing of Morgan Burnett to a one day contract to allow him to retire as a Green Bay Packer. A 2010 draft choice out of Georgia Tech, Burnett played through 2017 with the Packers. He started all 102 games he appeared in and was a defensive mainstay on a team that won a Super Bowl in his rookie year (although he was one of 15 players who finished that season on injured reserve), 5 NFC North titles and recorded a half dozen seasons with at least 10 victories. He played his last two years in Pittsburgh in 2018 and Cleveland in 2019. Burnett said he’s always wanted to finish what he started, an NFL career in Titletown.
Finally, it’s Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame week. Wednesday night, a private unveiling ceremony took place in the Champions Club at Lambeau Field where the bronze footballs that will join the rest of the Hall’s honorees were unveiled by this year’s class, linebacker Tim Harris and wide receiver Greg Jennings.
Tim Harris with Hall of Fame president Tom Konop.
Greg Jennings with Hall president Tom Konop.
I visited with Jennings high atop the stadium to talk about the honor.
Thursday night, the formal induction ceremony will take place in the Lambeau Field atrium.
