The Green Bay Packers lost two of their three running backs to injury during their 23-20 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Aaron Jones left the game with a knee injury while Emanuel Wilson exited with a dislocated shoulder.
Both players are believed to have escaped long-term injuries, but the Packers have a quick turnaround and play the Detroit Lions on Thursday (Thanksgiving). Even in the best-case scenario, given what the injuries are believed to be, neither Jones nor Wilson will be ready to return by then.
Earlier today, it was reported that the Packers had signed running back James Robinson, who had previously spent three weeks on the team’s practice squad earlier this season.
However, Green Bay took even more steps to ensure that they will field the best team possible on Thursday as they, at 4-6, make a late push for the NFL Playoffs.
The Green Bay Packers Have Released Safety Dallin Leavitt
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The first move the Packers made, in addition to signing Robinson, was to release safety and special teams gunner Dallin Leavitt. On the opening kickoff in their win over the Chargers, Leavitt was called for a holding penalty and a penalty against the official, pinning Jordan Love and the offense back on their own five-yard line to start the game.
After the play, head coach Matt LaFleur was seen screaming at Leavitt on the sideline. It certainly appears as if those two penalties, in addition to Leavitt’s poor play on special teams this year, made him expendable.
When Darnell Savage went on injured reserve and Rudy Ford dealt with injuries, the Packers used Jonathan Owens and Anthony Johnson Jr. as their starting safeties. Even with safety depth in question, Leavitt’s play was not good enough to get him more playing time on defense.
In short, he was not adding anything positive to the team.
The Green Bay Packers Re-Sign Running Back Patrick Taylor to Their Active Roster
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While it was previously expected that Robinson or rookie running back Ellis Merriweather, who is on the Packers’ practice squad, would be the team’s second running back behind AJ Dillon against Detroit. That will not be the case, though, as the Packers have re-signed Patrick Taylor to their active roster.
Taylor, of course, has spent the last few years with the Packers and was elevated from their practice squad four times this year before being released after maxing out the number of times he could be elevated. After his release, he signed with the New England Patriots’ practice squad.
Taylor will serve as the Packers’ second running back on Thanksgiving against the Lions. AJ Dillon, of course, will be the team’s starting running back.
In addition to the aforementioned moves, the Packers released linebacker Christian Young from the practice squad.
All roster moves were announced by the team via their website.
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