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The Finish Line: Tracking Every Cut, Trade as Packers Build 53-Man Roster

The Green Bay Packers are off and running in cutting their roster to the 53-player limit by the 5 p.m. Sunday deadline. Here are all the latest moves, including three trades.
Bill Huber|
After a Green Bay Packers touchdown a man waves a flag in the end zone after a touchdown against Arizona.
After a Green Bay Packers touchdown a man waves a flag in the end zone after a touchdown against Arizona. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

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Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers started Sunday morning with a 91-man roster. By 5 p.m. Central, that will be down to 53 as they face the difficult task of telling numerous players that they are good, but not good enough, to make the team.

Follow along all day for the latest news as general manager Brian Gutekunst sets his initial 53-man roster.

Here Are All the Roster Moves

The Packers got down to the 53-player limit by the 5 p.m. deadline. Here are all the moves, with more detailed analysis on many of them below. A total of 32 players were released and five landed on injured lists. One player was traded and two were added in trades.

Released on offense (16): RB Damien Martinez, RB Jaden Nixon, RB Pierre Strong, WR Chris Hilton, WR Kisean Johnson, WR Isaiah Neyor, WR Kaden Prather, WR Will Sheppard, T Brant Banks, T Dalton Cooper, T/G Darian Kinnard, G Josh Gesky, G Dillon Wade, C Dylan Barrett, TE Drake Dabney, TE Messiah Swinson.

Released on defense (13): DT Jaden Crumedy, DT Nazir Stackhouse, edge Nyjalik Kelly, edge Arron Mosby, edge Arden Walker, LB TJ Quinn, LB Kristian Welch, CB Shemar Bartholomew, CB Domani Jackson, CB MJ Devonshire, CB Jaylin Simpson, S Murvin Kenion, S Mark Perry.

Released on special teams (1): LS Cal Adomitis.

Wavied/injured (3): TE McCallan Castles, TE Thomas Yassmin, S Trey Dean III.

Injured reserve/designated for return (2; the max): Edge Collin Oliver, WR Savion Williams.

Commissioner’s exempt list (1): RB Josh Jacobs.

PUP: Edge Micah Parsons, TE Luke Musgrave, DT Jordon Riley.

Traded: QB Kyle McCord.

Acquired: RB Kaleb Williams, TE Mark Redman.

Here is a closer look.

Unbelievable Success Story

OL Depth Chart Coming Into Focus

According to sources, guard Donovan Jennings and guard/tackle Travis Glover have made the 53-man roster; the team practiced on Sunday and they were part of it. Along with Easton Butler reporting that 2025 seventh-round pick John Williams has made it, the Packers appear set to go into the season with a 10-man line in which Anthony Belton, Jager Burton, Jennings, Glover and Williams will provide the depth.

“I think there’s always stuff I can improve on but I’m happy with what I’m putting out on the film so far,” Jennings said during camp. “Happy with how aggressive I’m playing. Happy with how consistent I’m being, just got to keep going, keep stacking days.”

Extreme Makeover, Tight End Edition

With Luke Musgrave injured, the Packers have conducted an extensive renovation of their tight end room. After signing veteran Jonnu Smith, a transaction made official on Saturday, they acquired Mark Redman from the Rams during Sunday’s roster cuts.

According to the team, they sent a 2028 seventh-round pick to Los Angeles.

Redman played collegiately at Washington, San Diego State and Louisville. He caught 38 passes for 408 yards and three touchdowns at San Diego State in 2023 and 24 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns for Louisville as a senior.

At pro day, he measured 6-foot-6 and 263 pounds. He ran a plodding 4.95 in the 40.

Redman went undrafted in 2025 and signed with the Rams. He caught five passes for 41 yards but was released at the end of camp and spent the season on the practice squad without getting in a game. This year, he caught six passes for 63 yards.

His size caught the Packers’ attention as a potential replacement for the physicality brought by John FitzPatrick.

“Mark Redman is a throwback, primary in-line tight end whose ability as a blocker will earn him snaps,” The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler said.

Redman grew up playing hockey but was attracted to the physicality of football.

“I immediately fell in love with it and never turned back,” Redman recently told HERO Sports. “Finally being able to go hit someone and being able to let go and be free and do whatever you want. And once I got to high school and I realized that I had a little bit of a talent for it, I took advantage of it and I think it paid off.”

With the additions of Smith and Redman, the Packers released Drake Dabney.

Some Good News

On a day filled with disappointment, there's this:

Released: TE McCallan Castles, Drake Dabney

The Packers released tight end McCallan Castles, who spent part of last season on the Packers’ practice squad and returned during training camp. He is banged up and not expected back on the practice squad.

He had been working out with former NFL tight end Lee Smith and former Packers receiver Amari Rodgers.

“Obviously, I love being here,” he said at the time. “It sucks not playing football for five months and then getting called in right now. So, got to get the bearings back a little bit with the pads on first day right in the fire, but feeling pretty good. I’m glad to be here.”

The Packers released tight end Drake Dabney, as well, as part of a a remodeled tight end room.

Released: Edge Nyjalik Kelly

The Packers released undrafted rookie edge player Nyjalik Kelly, despite his sack-strip against Denver in the second preseason game and dominant performance against Arizona on Friday.

The Packers would like Kelly back on the practice squad, though his two sacks and seven pressures in the final two preseason games could merit some attention on the waiver wire.

The Packers have Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox and Dani Dennis-Sutton on the edge. With Collin Oliver nursing an injury, the Packers might keep only four at the position.

Trade and Release at Running Back

The Packers traded for running back Kaleb Johnson, a third-round pick by the Steelers last year, to provide potentially critical depth in the backfield.

The other domino to fall was the release of Pierre Strong, who was in line to be the No. 3 back if Josh Jacobs were to be suspended.

The trade leaves the Packers with Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks and Johnson on the roster. That’s four backs – potentially the reason why they went with only four safeties.

It was the second trade of the day by general manager Brian Gutekunst, who sent quarterback Kyle McCord to the Dolphins for a sixth-round pick in the 2028 draft. The Packers gave up their own sixth-rounder in 2028 to acquire Johnson, acccording to Tom Silverstein.

Meanwhile, In Indianapolis …

The Indianapolis Colts released defensive tackle Colby Wooden, a 16-game starter for the Packers last year. Green Bay traded Wooden to the Colts for linebacker Zaire Franklin.

So, essentially, the Packers got an every-down defensive starter (and potential team captain) for nothing.

“When we realized that Quay (Walker) probably wasn’t going to be back in in Green Bay, I wanted to make sure that we had someone who could step in and had already done it and played at a high level,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said recently.

“Certainly, Zaire has done that, and I also think you know playing that middle linebacker spot, there’s a bit of a personality and edge you have to have, and I think that can bleed into your team. And he has that, and I’m excited to see if he can kind of bring some of that to our football team.”

Released: C Dylan Barrett

The Packers have released undrafted rookie lineman Dylan Barrett, according to a source.

Barrett was a guard at Iowa State but the Packers locked him in at center throughout the offseason and training camp. He did not allow a pressure in three preseason games, according to PFF.

He could wind up back on the practice squad.

Packers Release One Draft Choice

Following a rough showing against Arizona, the Packers have released cornerback Domani Jackson, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.

According to a source, they’d like him back on their practice squad.

At this time a year ago, Jackson was considered one of the better cornerback prospects for the 2026 draft. However, he had an up-and-down (and up again) final season at Alabama and plunged all the way to the sixth round.

According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed 4-of-6 passing for 84 yards against the Cardinals, including a 41-yard touchdown to start the second quarter. He also missed two tackles.

With Keisean Nixon, Brandon Cisse, Benjamin St-Juste, Carrington Valentine and (probably) Kamal Hadden, the Packers will have five cornerbacks on their 53-man roster.

At cornerback, the Packers also released Jaylin Simpson, Shemar Bartholomew and MJ Devonshire.

Released: DT Jaden Crumedy, Nazir Stackhouse

According to a source, the Packers released Jaden Crumedy, a talented member from the team’s surprisingly strong defensive tackle room.

Crumedy was a sixth-round pick by the Panthers in 2024. He played in eight games in two seasons for them before joining Green Bay on a future contract at the end of last season. In three preseason games, he had five tackles, two pass deflections and a quarterback hit that resulted in an interception.

The Packers would like to keep him on the practice squad but believe there’s a good chance he’ll be lost on waivers.

Also released was Nazir Stackhouse, who was a starter to open camp but fell behind Ford.

As of now, Ford seems locked onto the 53 and Anthony Campbell remains on the roster.

Released: OT Dalton Cooper

Dalton Cooper, who went undrafted last year and signed with Green Bay’s practice squad after final cuts, has been released, according to a source.

The Packers want him back on the practice squad.

Cooper played mostly left tackle with some right tackle during training camp and was locked in at left tackle for the games. According to PFF, he allowed one sack against Pittsburgh and another against Arizona.

Packers Make Two Big Moves at Receiver

The Packers cut two of their three promising young receiver prospects, Isaiah Neyor and Will Sheppard.

Neyor, whose release was reported by NFL insider Tom Pelissero, had a strong start to training camp and the preseason but dropped a pass against Denver and a potential touchdown pass against Arizona.

The release of Sheppard, as first reported by Packers On SI, comes on the heels of him scoring two touchdowns against the Cardinals, including on an 81-yard punt return.

“Just proud of myself overall,” he said after the game. “Going out there every day, just getting better, improving and stacking days. Really that’s all it comes down to.”

Sheppard, who tied for the team lead with 10 receptions in the preseason, will explore other opportunities for a chance to get on the field.

“I feel pretty good overall,” he said. “Since the beginning of camp, just being consistent and every day I’ve been getting better and better and showing things in the run game, pass game and special teams. I think I left it all on the field.”

The Packers have released Neyor, Sheppard, Chris Hilton, Kaden Prather and Kisean Johnson. So far, so good for J. Michael Sturdivant.

Traded: QB Kyle McCord

The Packers’ march to forming their 53-man roster continued by trading quarterback Kyle McCord to the Miami Dolphins. According to reports, the Packers acquired a 2028 sixth-round pick in the trade.

To recap the turn of events this offseason:

After last season, the Packers signed McCord to a futures contract. A sixth-round pick by the Eagles in 2025, he spent his rookie season on the practice squad.

Premier backup Malik Willis signed a big contract with the Dolphins in free agency.

To replace Willis, the Packers signed Tyrod Taylor.

On Friday and Saturday, Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan traded Quinn Ewers to the Jaguars and released the two young backup candidates. That left Willis as the only quarterback on the roster.

Not anymore, with the addition of McCord, who threw four touchdown passes against Arizona.

“It was a lot of fun,” he said after the game “Just being able to be with guys you’ve been grinding with all camp and a lot of the younger guys got opportunities tonight to go out and play. Four quarters of that, being able to throw it around and have fun, that’s what football is all about. I feel like everybody out there just competing and having a good time, playing hard for each other. It was a lot of fun.”

The Packers might gain a third-round compensatory pick in the 2027 draft for Willis, a player they couldn’t afford to re-sign, and now a sixth-round pick in 2028 for a McCord, who they signed for free and might not have kept, anyway.

The Packers will be shopping for a third quarterback for the practice squad. One name to remember is Seth Henigan. The former Memphis standout, who threw for 14,278 yards and 104 touchdowns in four seasons, worked out for the team during training camp.

Released: RB Jaden Nixon

Undersized but explosive undrafted rookie running back Jaden Nixon has been released, according to a source. He could return to the practice squad, though the Packers might want to shop around after final cuts are complete.

Nixon led the team with 65 rushing yards (3.8 average) in the preseason. He scored a touchdown at Denver and had runs of 16 yards against the Broncos and 12 yards against the Cardinals.

“Just the type of player I am,” he said of why he’ll succeed. “I stay late, I work hard. I’m always learning, trying to understand why this play works and why that play might not work, who we’re playing against, what type of defense they like to run, how we can combat that. I just love being around football. I love playing football.”

International Flavor

The Packers will be looking for a new International Player Pathway player. Australian-born tight end Thomas Yassmin is expected to land on injured reserve with the knee injury that sidelined him for the end of training camp and the last preseason game.

One possibility is bringing back Lenny Krieg. The German-born kicker was in Green Bay briefly in training camp before injuries at tight end necessitated the signing of Yassmin.

General manager Brian Gutekunst has said he’d like to have two kickers.

“I would like that, whether that happens during this training camp, whether we bring somebody on in the practice squad as we start the season,” he said recently. “I would like to have two kickers along the way, whether that’s all the time or we try some different guys out. But I think we’re pretty confident in Trey (Smack) right now going into the season.”

Released: LB Kristian Welch

Linebacker Kristian Welch, a native of Iola, Wis., has been released by the Packers at the end of a third consecutive training camp, according to a source.

Welch was lost in the numbers at Green Bay’s loaded linebacker corps, which includes Edgerrin Cooper, Zaire Franklin, Isaiah McDuffie and Tyron Hopper along with special-teams ace Nick Niemann.

While he had a team-high 16 tackles in the preseason, Welch’s calling card is special teams, and he was typically strong in that phase during training camp. The Packers will want him back on the practice squad.

Released: CB Jaylin Simpson

One of the standouts of training camp, versatile defensive back Jaylin Simpson, has been released, according to a source. He is expected to revert back to the practice squad, where he spent last season.

A fifth-round pick by the Colts in 2024, Simpson has played cornerback, slot and safety in his career. He really settled in during his snaps at cornerback; his rough outing at Pittsburgh in the second preseason game came while playing mostly in the slot.

“Yeah, it was a good day, but that’s just the mindset I’ve been built on,” he said after a recent practice. “You know, it really doesn’t matter at the end of the day, you just got to go out there [and do it again]. I’m just going out there and literally just trying to do my job, do what I’m coached to do. If I don’t do it, I try to go out there and do my best to fix it. If I do do it, great job, Jaylin Simpson. Next play. You know what I’m saying?”

Simpson played almost every defensive snaps on Friday against Arizona. PFF charged him with six completions in 10 targets but for only 59 yards.

One of the more interesting players in the locker room, he’ll continue to exude the “Plankton Mentality.”

First Surprise: Packers Release Mark Perry

In the first surprise of the day – a minor surprise, at least – the Packers released safety Mark Perry.

If he clears waivers, he will be a candidate for the practice squad.

Perry was one of the great stories of training camp. An undrafted free agent in 2024, the Packers were his sixth team in his quest to finally make a roster and play in a game.

“I won’t sit here and lie and act like it’s been easy,” he told Packers On SI before camp. “Obviously, some times have been harder than others. I had a pretty good college career. Didn’t necessarily expect myself to go undrafted, ended up going undrafted, so that was kind of a battle in itself. And then going to Miami, I felt like I had a good training camp and preseason, get cut for the first time. That came with some emotions.”

Perry ran with the No. 2 defense throughout OTAs and training camp. He had nine tackles and an interception at Denver in the three preseason games.

His release is perhaps a sign the Packers will go with only four safeties to save a roster spot at another position. Or, the No. 5 job could belong to undrafted rookie Murvin Kenion.

Released: Two Cornerbacks

The Packers have released cornerbacks Shemar Bartholomew and MJ Devonshire, according to a source.

Devonshire, whose release was first reported by Easton Butler, played in all three preseason games. According to PFF, he allowed 5-of-7 passing for 47 yards and one touchdown with one pass breakup.

PFF charged Bartholmew, who played extensively in the finale at Minnesota last season, with 5-of-6 passing for 63 yards in the preseason.

“Just blessed for the opportunity, man,” he said before the Vikings game. “It’s the opportunity to put that film on tape, like the older guys been preaching to us. It’s an opportunity – not just this team but all the other 32 teams to put your film out there on tape.”

He will not be on the practice squad.

Packers Release Preseason Star Kisean Johnson

According to a source, the Packers have released receiver Kisean Johnson, who scored two touchdowns in the preseason win against Arizona.

He is not expected back on the practice squad.

Johnson caught four passes for 52 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown that rallied the Packers and another touchdown that won the game, when he broke a tackle inside the 5 to score.

“Crazy thing about it, I was here last year the last week of the season a couple of days and I want to say we had a walk-through in Lambeau and I was just in awe,” he said. “I kept telling myself, I got to play in Lambeau. I don’t care if I’m with the Packers or not, I got to play in Lambeau. There’s something about it.

“To be able to have the game that I had in Lambeau is something I’m going to take with myself forever.”

The Packers signed him on Aug. 9. Of course with that name, he had to play receiver.

“The same name as Keyshawn Johnson,” he told Dawgs By Nature. “I guess it was already known that I would be a receiver. My mama named me after him, but she wanted something different and to have my own name. Just spelled it differently. I have those come up and ask me if I’m his son.”

Released: OT Brant Banks

Despite a stellar performance during the second half against Arizona, the Packers have released offensive tackle Brant Banks, according to The Press-Gazette’s Ryan Wood.

Banks, who went undrafted last year, spent the entire season on Green Bay’s practice squad with the exception of one week on Tennessee’s roster. He wound up playing six snaps on special teams in two appearances with the Packers.

Banks played mostly left guard and right tackle in college. As a rookie, he was stationed at left tackle. This year, after missing the start of camp with an injury, he played a lot of right tackle.

Banks had a couple pancake blocks against the Cardinals. All 45 preseason snaps in the three games came at right tackle. He allowed one sack at Denver but that was the only pressure.

Packers Release LB TJ Quinn

Undrafted rookie linebacker TJ Quinn, who finished the preseason with a bang with nine tackles and a forced fumble on special teams, has been released, a source told Packers On SI.

Quinn is an excellent prospect but was up against it from a numbers perspective in a veteran-laden linebacker corps in which special teams ace Nick Niemman was No. 5 and Kristian Welch was No. 6.

“I feel like it was a good situation along with good coaches, and I felt like I wanted to go to a place where I knew I would have a chance to compete and have an opportunity to be able to make the team,” he said after a big day at camp. “The history that Green Bay has had, I felt like a lot of other teams don’t have that.”

Released: WR Kaden Prather

According to a source, the Packers have released Kaden Prather, who caught two passes for 17 yards against the Cardinals on Friday.

“You know, I finally got a win,” he said after being signed early in training camp. “I’ve been to a couple different workouts and I didn’t make it. So, it was a relief, but wasn’t too happy because work’s not finished. I’ve still got to make the team.”

Released: RB Damien Martinez

The Packers have released running back Damien Martinez, a source confirmed. A seventh-round pick by Seattle last year with the size and style the Packers prefer, he just didn’t make any headway in the battle with Pierre Strong and Jaden Nixon.

He carried 16 times for 60 yards in the preseason, a 3.8-yard average. While he showed impressive pass-catching skills on the practice field he was targeted only once during the games – a catch for 1 yard at Denver.

Martinez had an impressive 15-yard run against the Cardinals but also fumbled.

Released: TE Messiah Swinson

The Packers have released Messiah Swinson, according to a source. It was his third training camp with the team. He will not be invited back to the practice squad.

The Packers have Tucker Kraft, Josh Whyle and Jonnu Smith  for the 53-man roster. Drake Dabney will be the big one, with a potential spot on the 53 depending on if they keep three or four at the position.

First Big Move Comes at Snapper

The Packers are releasing Cal Adomitis, a sourcce told Packers On SI, paving the way for Matt Orzech to be the snapper.

Adomitis was the snapper for all of training camp, which corresponded with rookie kicker Trey Smack shaking off his rocky offseason practices. Smack made every field-goal and extra-point attempt during the three preseason games.

“Yeah, he’s done a good job,” special teams coordinator Cam Achord said of Adomitis. “I think Cal’s done a really good job coming in and filling in. He’s done a really good job, obviously, the snapping, the protecting, stuff like that. So, I think he’s done everything we’ve asked for and we’ll see how it goes. But, obviously, he’s done a really good job for us. Not only for us, everybody else, he’s put his best foot forward, for sure.”

So, the job will go back to Orzech, who spent all of training camp on PUP with a calf injury. He has snapped in every game during his three seasons with the team and signed a three-year contract extension 12 months ago.

“Hopefully we can get Matt Orzech back here in a week or so and get him working with him, as well, but because all that goes together,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said last week.


He will be the snapper on the 53 that emerges on Sunday.

“Today I snapped and blocked, so I would say we tested it pretty thoroughly today, as much as we possibly could without shoulder pads on,” Orzech said earlier in the week. “I feel as good as I could.”

Off And Running

That task started on Saturday when they officially signed tight end Jonnu Smith. To make room, they released safety Tra Fluellen. He made three tackles in Friday’s preseason game against the Cardinals.

Fluellen went undrafted in 2024 and spent his rookie season on the Saints’ practice squad. He joined the Packers on Aug. 11, so faced the challenge of having to learn the playbook on the fly.

“At the end of the day, we’re all pros, so we’re all running the same things; just different terminology,” he told Packers On SI. “So, part of being a pro is coming in, doing your job and making those adjustments and realizing what you have to do.

“So, I got to do my part as a professional and learn the plays. You’re never going to be perfect – nobody’s ever perfect – but, to the best of my ability, I’m going to learn the plays as fast I can. Obviously, there’s no limit, but it’s going to be a quick turnaround, you know what I’m saying?”  

Will Streak Stay Alive?

The Packers have kept at least one undrafted roster on their opening roster for 21 consecutive years, a streak kept alive last year by defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse.

This year, the Packers fortified a six-man draft class by breaking the bank on their undrafted class. In terms of combined signing bonus and guaranteed salary, edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly received $262,500, receiver J. Michael Sturdivant received $215,000, guards Dillon Wade and Josh Gesky also received $215,000, and linebacker TJ Quinn received $165,000.

For contrast, their final draft pick, kicker Trey Smack, received a $206,532 signing bonus but no guaranteed salary.

Who could keep the streak alive?

There are two front-runners with Kelly and Sturdivant. Both players capped the preseason with big-time performances.

Kelly had six tackles, including one sack and three tackles for losses, and added one interception on Friday night against Arizona. He had a sack/strip against Denver the week before.

Sturdivant, who has a superb combination of height and speed, caught six passes for 112 yards and one touchdown against Arizona.

He brought the football from the touchdown catch into the locker room to talk to reporters.

“He came in and you could tell he was one of those guys who was ready to play,” quarterback Kyle McCord said after the game. “I think he came in with a chip on his shoulder, not being drafted; in my opinion, he should have been.

“One of those guys, really from Day 1, you don’t have to tell him too much. He’s going to know his job. He’s going to know his responsibility. Put him on the field and he’s going to make plays. I think he’s shown that throughout all of camp. He made a really strong case for himself.”

Injuries Are Wild Card

The Packers have four players on the physically unable to perform list. They can keep Micah Parsons (knee), Luke Musgrave (neck), Jordon Riley (Achilles) and Matt Orzech (calf) on PUP to start the regular season. Players who start the regular season PUP can begin practicing after Week 2 and can start playing after Week 4.

There’s no doubt the Packers will do that with Parsons, Musgrave and Riley. If the intention is for Orzech to snap in Week 1 at Minnesota, he will have to be activated on Sunday.

The big question entering roster cuts is what the Packers will do with edge Collin Oliver (calf), receiver Savion Williams (ankle) and defensive tackle Warren Brinson (calf).

Obviously, they can carry all three players on their 53-man roster. The alternative is teams can place two players on injured reserve and designate them as eligible to return. As is the case with PUP, those players can begin practicing after the second game and begin playing after the fourth game.

“I think that is to be determined at this point,” is all LaFleur would say of Brinson, Olivver and Williams after Friday’s game.

Waiver Rules

Players with four-plus seasons of experience who are released become free agents and can sign with the team of their choosing. That’s how the Packers wound up with linebacker Nick Niemann last year. Players with three or fewer years of experience who are released on Sunday can be claimed off waivers on Monday.

The deadline to place a waiver claim is noon (Central) on Monday. Claims are processed in original draft order, so the Packers are 20th. A player who is claimed by multiple teams goes to the team higher in the draft order. For instance, if the Packers and Vikings claim the same player, he would go to Minnesota, which was 18th in the draft order.

Last year, 29 players were claimed off waivers after final cuts. So, while it’s not a rarity, the fear of losing a player to another team is generally overblown and teams can typically get a player they release back on the practice squad.

“If you’re going to try to get a guy through waivers, if you’re going to release him, you have to understand that you have to accept the fact that you may lose him. And you have to be OK with that,” Gutekunst said last week.

Working in Green Bay’s favor is other teams only have three preseason games worth of evidence to look at a player while Gutekunst and his staff have the practice tape and know the player’s work habits and personality.

“We do go through some exercises towards the end of, ‘Hey, if this is all you’re looking at, is this, these three preseason games’ – if this is all they have to look at and this is what they’re making the decision on, what is the likelihood you’re going to pull the trigger on a claim or whatnot? So, you do some of that,” Gutekunst continued.

“Obviously having experience in this thing, there’s a lot less claims than you really think that there are year to year. But, at the same time, I think whenever you take that risk, you have to be willing to risk that player.”

The Packers took full advantage of that in 2020 with undrafted rookie linebacker Krys Barnes. Gutekunst released him at the end of training camp, knowing no team would claim him. He was the team’s Week 1 starter.

Building a Practice Squad

Once the NFL sorts through the waiver claims, teams can begin formulating a practice squad. Sixteen players can be signed to the practice squad. There can be 17 if there is an international player.

The Packers had Australian tight end Thomas Yassmin on their training camp roster, but he missed the last week of practice and the game with a knee injury.

Yassmin played at Utah and spent training camp with the Broncos in 2024 and the Chargers in 2025. He’s not just a project. In time, he might be able to help the team.

“That’s the goal,” he said. “I’ve spoken to my agent. I’ve spoken to my family. That’s sometimes the unfortunate reality of being an international player, you kind of get that [project] label, but I’ve been playing this sport for eight years. I’ve played in college. I’ve made big plays on big stages.

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Bill Huber
BILL HUBER

Bill Huber, who has covered the Green Bay Packers since 2008, is the publisher of Packers On SI, a Sports Illustrated channel. E-mail: packwriter2002@yahoo.com History: Huber took over Packer Central in August 2019. Twitter: https://twitter.com/BillHuberNFL Background: Huber graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he played on the football team, in 1995. He worked in newspapers in Reedsburg, Wisconsin Dells and Shawano before working at The Green Bay News-Chronicle and Green Bay Press-Gazette from 1998 through 2008. With The News-Chronicle, he won several awards for his commentaries and page design. In 2008, he took over as editor of Packer Report Magazine, which was founded by Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Nitschke, and PackerReport.com. In 2019, he took over the new Sports Illustrated site Packer Central, which he has grown into one of the largest sites in the Sports Illustrated Media Group.