GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The Packers are in an unusual spot, getting a chance to practice two more times before they have to settle on their 53 man roster and welcome back 16 more players to their practice squad. The final cuts aren’t due until Tuesday but after a Saturday film review and lift following the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday night, Head Coach Matt LaFleur had the team work in helmets inside the Don Hutson Center Sunday because of a light morning rain.
The cuts have already begun. Linebacker Ty Summers was the first to be released. Drafted in the 7th round out of TCU, Summers only saw defensive action on a limited basis but developed into a key member of the special teams. LaFleur said it’s never easy letting any player go but he hopes this will give Summers a chance to catch on somewhere else before the free agent market gets flooded in the coming days. LaFleur thanked Summers for his hard work and called him an excellent teammate during his time here. The arrival of first round pick Quay Walker and the emergence of last year’s draft choice Isaiah McDuffie at inside linebacker left Summers in a difficult spot.
Conversations with General Manager Brian Gutekunst will continue in earnest over the next 48 hours but LaFleur doubts any more moves will be made until they have to. On Saturday, LaFleur said Aaron Rodgers will be consulted on some of the decisions, especially on the offensive side and because the 18 year veteran has a great feel for the locker room and it’s chemistry.
A pair of safeties returned to practice on Sunday as Darnell Savage took part in individual drills (the only period the media was allowed to view). He’s been out since pulling a hamstring on Family Night. Dallin Leavitt is also back after injuring his shoulder in the Pre-Season opener against the 49ers.
Also encouraging was the news tight end Robert Tonyan has been given the OK to begin taking part in team periods.
A big step Sunday for Bobby.
Elgton Jenkins did not practice Sunday. He was seen on the side riding a stationary bike. LaFleur said he’s been given a day off, an unplanned one at that but declined to be specific, preferring “to keep it internal”.
Others working on the side were Mason Crosby, still on the Physically Unable to Perform list. LaFleur expects him to increase his kicking workload on his own. If Crosby doesn’t come off the PUP list by Tuesday and moves to the Reserve/PUP list on the final cut, the Packers will have to utilize rookie Ramiz Ahmed for at least the first four weeks of the season. Also sidelined were tight ends Alize’ Mack and Nate Becker who both suffered injuries in Kansas City along with defensive lineman Akial Byers.
The Packers will practice again on Monday with players getting Tuesday, cut day, off. The initial 53 man roster will practice for the first time on Wednesday before LaFleur gives them Thursday through Sunday off, the last three days of the weekend are mandated days off by the Collective Bargaining Agreement since the Pre-Season was cut to three games and the 2022 17 game regular season kicks off on the Thursday following the Labor Day holiday.
