GREEN BAY – On NFL cut-down day, the Packers made numerous personnel moves to get their roster to the mandated 53 players.
General manager Ted Thompson announced 17 players had been released, as well as the placement of several others on inactive lists.
These are the players that were cut on Saturday:
WR Geronimo Allison
LB Sam Barrington
LB Carl Bradford
LB Beniquez Brown
CB Robertson Daniel
CB Warren Gatewood
LB Reggie Gilbert
LS Rick Lovato
G Lucas Patrick
TE Casey Pierce
DT Brian Price
RB Brandon Ross
G Josh Sitton
FB Alstevis Squirewell
WR Herb Waters
S Jermaine Whitehead
QB Marquise Williams
The biggest surprises were Sitton (who has since signed with the Chicago Bears) and Barrington, both of whom had been starters, though they’ve battled injuries. Allison had an excellent preseason and could be a likely practice squad candidate if he makes it through league waivers. Bradford was a 2014 fourth-round draft pick who had his best training camp in three years, but apparently ran out of time to make an impact.
By releasing Lovato, the Packers are currently without a long snapper, though they surely will sign one soon. After cutting veteran punter Tim Masthay earlier this week, Green Bay will begin the 2016 season without its long snapper and holder from last year, which could complicate the field goal unit for kicker Mason Crosby.
Brian Price and Robertson Daniel are considered good bets for the practice squad.
Green Bay also placed DT Tyler Kuder and C Kyle Steuck on injured reserve and designated C Corey Linsley for reserve/physically unable to perform. Additionally, CB Demetri Goodson and DT Mike Pennel were officially put on the reserve/suspended list.
Earlier Saturday, the team announced the release of Sitton, a three-time Pro Bowler, along with a statement thanking him for his time with the Packers.
Here is the Packers’ 53-man roster, which could change in the next few days, as Green Bay potentially opts to sign other teams’ players or makes alterations based on injury or other circumstance:
Quarterback (3)
Aaron Rodgers, Brett Hundley, Joe Callahan
Running back (4)
Eddie Lacy, James Starks, Aaron Ripkowski, Brandon Burks
Wide receiver (7)
Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Jeff Janis, Ty Montgomery, Jared Abbrederis, Trevor Davis
Tight end (3)
Jared Cook, Richard Rodgers, Justin Perillo
Offensive line (8)
T.J. Lang, Bryan Bulaga, JC Tretter, David Bakhtiari, Jason Spriggs, Lane Taylor, Don Barclay, Kyle Murphy
Defensive line (5)
Mike Daniels, Letroy Guion, Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Christian Ringo
Linebacker (9)
Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Nick Perry, Datone Jones, Jayrone Elliott, Kyler Fackrell, Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez, Joe Thomas
Cornerback (6)
Sam Shields, Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins, LaDarius Gunter, Josh Hawkins, Makinton Dorleant
Safety (6)
Morgan Burnett, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Micah Hyde, Chris Banjo, Kentrell Brice, Marwin Evans
Specialists (2)
Mason Crosby, Jake Schum
The Packers’ roster includes six undrafted rookies, which is the most during Thompson’s tenure as general manager. This is the third straight year they have kept three quarterbacks on the 53, including Callahan, an undrafted player from Division III Wesley College.
What do you think of the Packers’ personnel decisions? Are you surprised by any of the cuts? Let us know in the comments.
