Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst waived 22 players, let a pair go with injury settlements and put three more on reserve lists to reach the NFL roster limit of 53.
The cut list included a couple of surprises, wide receiver Jake Kumerow, a favorite of Aaron Rodgers and the media, Dexter Williams, the Notre Dame running back drafted just a year ago and outside linebacker Tim Williams, the former Baltimore Raven who I thought had a strong camp. Keep in mind, many of these players will be back with the team by Sunday. If they clear waivers, they’ll be brought back onto the expanded practice squad roster, now up to 16 players because of the pandemic.
Here’s the list:
Players released:
CB DaShaun Amos, LB Krys Barnes, TE Evan Bayliss, WR Reggie Begelton, S Henry Black, OT Cody Conway, RB Damarea Crockett, LB Tipa Galeai, C Jake Hanson, OG Zack Johnson, WR Jake Kumerow, OT John Leglue, OT Alex Light, FB John Lovett, DT Willington Previlon, LB Greg Roberts, CB Stanford Samuels, LB Delontae Scott, WR Darrius Shepherd, WR Malik Turner, RB Dexter Williams, LB Tim Williams.
In addition, the Packers put LB Curtis Bolton on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. Rookie OT Simon Stepaniak and RB Patrick Taylor are on the reserve/non-football injury list. Veteran defensive lineman Treyvon Hester and CB Will Sunderland were both waived/injured.
Now to the headlines over who made the final 53. Only one of this year’s 8 draft picks was let go, the Oregon Center Jake Hanson but he’s almost a lock to return on the practice squad. 5th round pick Kamal Martin was carried active even though he’ll miss more than a month after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus and both seventh round defensive players, linebacker Jonathan Garvin and safety Vernon Scott made it.
The offensive picks at the top of the draft survived, Jordon Love, A.J. Dillon, Josiah Deguara and offensive lineman Jon Runyan.
Malik Taylor, an undrafted free agent from division 2 Ferris State, made it to the wide receiver room.
It will be interesting to see if teams put in claims for other club’s cuts. Without having a chance to scout what other teams have during a normal pre-season, I’m not expecting much movement.
Gutekunst will have a zoom session with the media on Sunday, look for highlights posted Sunday night.
