In Green Bay, Wisconsin, as the events unfolded on Tuesday afternoon, the initial 53-man roster for the Green Bay Packers saw the inclusion of two running backs and 10 offensive linemen.
While the headline centered around “Roster Cuts,” the significant news of the day revolved around veteran kicker Mason Crosby’s return from the physically unable to perform list after offseason knee surgery. His activation positions him to kick for the Packers in the season-opening game against the Vikings on Sept. 11.
With Crosby’s return, the Packers opted to release talented first-year kicker Ramiz Ahmed, hoping to secure him for the practice squad. Similarly, last season, they retained J.J. Molson on the practice squad throughout the year.
Notably, Crosby has maintained a perfect attendance record since his draft in 2007. As per sources, undrafted rookie Jack Coco, who made the 53-man roster, is set to be his snapper unless there are changes on Wednesday.
In other areas, standout stories emerged, such as safety Micah Abernathy’s journey from the USFL to becoming an integral part of the 53-man roster amid injuries in the position group.
On the offensive line, the Packers decided to keep seventh-round draft pick Rasheed Walker while releasing undrafted free agent Caleb Jones. There’s a desire to secure Jones for the practice squad, although his potential claim on waivers remains a possibility due to his unique stature and position flexibility.
The Packers also made adjustments in their outside linebacker corps, parting ways with La’Darius Hamilton and Kobe Jones. Jonathan Garvin, Tipa Galeai, and rookie Kingsley Enagbare are set to provide depth behind Rashan Gary and Preston Smith.
Offensive tackle Jack Heflin’s release from the defensive line was a surprise, given his strong preseason performances. Similarly, Chris Slayton, another productive member of the defensive line, was also released.
In a positional shift, Rico Gafford transitioned from cornerback to receiver and back to cornerback, reflecting the team’s evolving needs. The Packers aim to continue Gafford’s development by signing him to their practice squad.
Several other players were released, including cornerback Kiondre Thomas, tight ends Alize Mack, Sal Cannella, and Nate Becker, running back Dexter Williams, cornerback Kabion Ento, and safety De’Vante Cross.
The Packers have retained long snapper Jack Coco, impressed by his performance during training camp and preseason games. However, the Bengals have opted to stick with Clark Harris as their snapper, releasing Cal Adomitis.
As the waiver process unfolds, players who clear waivers become eligible to be signed to the 16-man practice squad on Wednesday. Historically, the Packers have retained most of their desired players, reflecting General Manager Brian Gutekunst’s strategy of maintaining flexibility throughout the season.
For many players, Tuesday’s cuts mark the end of their dreams with the Packers, while for some, it signifies the beginning of a new chapter, echoing the resilience and determination required in the NFL.
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