The Green Bay Packers designated defensive lineman Jonathan Ford for return from injured reserve, opening his 21-day practice window. Ford remains on injured reserve, but Matt LaFleur’s team now has three weeks to activate him to the 53-man roster.
Ford was the only Packers player placed on injured reserve with a designation to return at final roster cuts. He injured his calf during the preseason finale.
A seventh-round pick in 2022, Ford was one of the Packers’ highest-graded defensive players during the preseason. The 338-pounder looked more explosive getting off the ball and proved to be a capable run defender.
Can the Packers expect any immediate impact from Ford?
“We’ll see. He hasn’t practiced in a while,” LaFleur said Wednesday.
The Packers are deep along the interior of the defensive line, although Devonte Wyatt is now dealing with an ankle injury. Colby Wooden has been a healthy scratch each of the last two weeks.
After missing the minimum of four games, Ford is now eligible to come off injured reserve. The Packers can activate him at any point over the next three weeks. If not activated, he’ll revert to season-ending injured reserve.
Ford, 26, has never appeared in a regular season game. He spent last season on the practice squad.