For the first time this season, the Green Bay Packers’ 17-man practice squad was filled in full on Friday, according to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson. Running back Nate McCrary of the Packers was placed on the practice squad injured list, which is akin to a modified injured reserve. This means that McCrary is no longer deducted from the 17 players that Green Bay is permitted to have on the practice squad. McCrary’s injury has not yet been made public.
The Packers had three practice squad places open to them after McCrary was cut. After signing cornerback Kamal Hadden, fullback Andrew Beck, and running back La’Mical Perine on Friday, they decided to use all three.
In five seasons, Perine, a former fourth-round choice of the New York Jets, has signed with six different teams. Perine has only appeared in seven regular-season games since the completion of the 2020 campaign, after having 64 carries for 232 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie season. The Packers need all the running back support they can get, though, with rookie third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd still sidelined by a hamstring ailment and AJ Dillon on season-ending injured reserve.
In contrast, fullback/tight end Andrew Beck has played in 66 regular season games, making 22 starts, 12 of which were with the Houston Texans in the previous campaign. With 994 special teams snaps in his NFL career, Beck is a potential to get promoted off the practice squad at some point. The Packers under Matt LaFleur frequently have four tight end-type players on the roster. The team currently only has three players.
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Hadden in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but he was waived at cutdowns. Although it’s a little crowded in the room because he’s the third cornerback to join the practice squad, he should be able to contend for the sixth cornerback spot this season.
A special thanks to general manager Brian Gutekunst, who was able to secure a free draft pick in August. After trading quarterback Malik Willis to the Tennessee Titans for the club’s 2025 seventh-round pick, that’s one method to recoup value.
Leave a Reply