The Green Bay Packers reduced their roster to the NFL mandated 53 players on Friday. They released a total of 22 players to get to
that number.
Undrafted rookie Jarrett Boykin beat out a pair of practice-squad holdovers from a year ago, Diondre Borel and Tori Gurley. Borel and Gurley are both candidates for the practice squad again, but there a chance one or both could get picked up by another NFL team.
The Packers could still go a different direction at quarterback, but after Graham Harrell’s 2 touchdown passing performance on Thursday against Kansas City, it would appear likely that Harrell will remain in Green Bay as Aaron Rodgers backup.
The Packers are extremely thin on the offensive line. When the dust settled Friday, Green Bay had just seven offensive linemen left, so you can bet GM Ted Thompson is looking to add there. The Packers will especially be looking for a backup tackle after placing last years first-round pick, Derek Sherrod on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. They also released two other tackles, veteran Reggie Wells and 7th round draft pick Andrew Datko.
Sherrod is still recovering from breaking both bones in his lower right leg last year. He’ll now have to sit out the first six weeks of the regular season.
That leaves the Packers with undrafted rookie Don Barclay and Evan Dietrich-Smith as the teams two backups on the offensive line.
So while the Packers are at 53 players now, that group of 53 won’t likely be final. To add an offensive lineman or two will mean releasing the equal number of players to stay at 53 players. The Packers will also be able to form their 8-player practice squad today as well.
Following is the 22-player cut list from Friday.
T Shea Allard, TE Brandon Bostic, QB B.J. Coleman, WR Diondre Borel, T Andrew Datko, FB Nic Cooper, WR Curensky Gilleylen, WR Tori Gurley, C/G Tommie Draheim, C/G Sampson Genus, DE Lawrence Guy, S Anthony Levine, CB Otis Merrill, WR Dale Moss, RB Marc Tyler, G Greg Van Roten, DT Daniel Muir and G/T Reggie Wells. Derek Sherrod was placed on Reserve/PUP and LB Vic So’oto (ankle) was placed on injured reserve.