Tag: Green Bay Packers

Packers finalizing deal for free agent LB Jaylon Smith

The Packers are closing in on signing former Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith.

The Green Bay Packers are on the verge of signing former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Packers are the “likely landing spot” for Smith, and the two sides are finalizing details on a contract.

Smith, a second-round pick of the Cowboys in 2016, played almost 3,800 snaps over 68 career games (56 starts) in Dallas. He was officially released by the Cowboys on Wednesday.

According to Rapoport, the deal won’t be finalized until Thursday morning, but Smith wants to play in Green Bay and the deal will get done.

Adding Smith will provide depth for the Packers at linebacker, where De’Vondre Campbell and Krys Barnes have been the two starters to start this season. Smith could compete with Barnes to play next to Campbell, who has been an early-season standout for the Packers. And Joe Barry’s defense could use an upgrade behind them both, especially if he wants to get more inside linebackers on the field at times.

Smith played 148 snaps for the Cowboys over the first four games of 2021.

Smith starred at Notre Dame, where Matt LaFleur worked for a year on the college’s staff.

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Packers without C Josh Myers at Wednesday’s practice due to finger injury

The Packers were without three players at Wednesday’s practice, including rookie center Josh Myers.

The unfortunate injury news keeps piling up on the Green Bay Packers.

Even on a day when cornerback Kevin King and linebacker Krys Barnes returned to practice, the Packers were still without offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (ankle) and cornerback Jaire Alexander (shoulder), and now rookie center Josh Myers has a finger injury worth monitoring this week.

The team’s first injury report of Week 5 listed Myers as did not participate during Wednesday’s practice. The injury is potentially concerning. Myers has been listed with a finger injury since Week 2, but he wasn’t given an injury designation and played in all three games. The fact that he’s missing a practice now with the same injury could indicate an aggravation of the existing injury.

Of course, the biggest injury news of the week is Alexander’s shoulder. The Packers are still gathering opinions and hoping to avoid surgery. He will “most likely” miss Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Alexander wasn’t the only new addition to this week’s injury report. The Packers also added defensive lineman Dean Lowry (ankle), linebacker Chauncey Rivers (knee) and cornerback Isaac Yiadom (quad), but all three practiced in some capacity on Wednesday.

The fact that Jenkins wasn’t able to practice again on Wednesday isn’t a great sign for his availability vs. the Bengals. He could miss a third straight game.

It wasn’t all bad news. Barnes, a starter at linebacker, appears further along in the concussion protocol than King, who was still limited on Wednesday. Barnes was a full participant and should be ready to play Sunday against the Bengals. Coach Matt LaFleur said King is trending in the right direction.

The Bengals were without running back Joe Mixon during Wednesday’s practice. He’s dealing with an ankle injury. Receiver Tee Higgins was limited with a neck injury. More on the Bengals’ injury situation can be found at Bengals Wire.

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Packers still ‘gathering opinions’ on Jaire Alexander’s shoulder injury

The Packers still don’t have a firm timetable on the status of Jaire Alexander’s shoulder injury.

On Monday, Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said he would provide an update on Jaire Alexander’s shoulder injury on Wednesday. At the time, the Packers medical staff were seeking out additional opinions on what was reported to be an injury to the AC Joint. Well, a couple of days has passed, but not much has changed as far as Alexander’s status. The team appears to be focused on ruling out the need for surgery, which would likely bring an abrupt end to Alexander’s season.

“We’re still gathering opinions on that,” said LaFleur on Wednesday. “We’re going to try and avoid (surgery) at all costs.”

LaFleur did not have a timetable for how long Alexander will be sidelined. He did say Alexander would “most likely” not be available for this week’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

In a corresponding move, Green Bay signed veteran corner Rasul Douglas. Douglas played in 14 games, starting 11, for the Carolina Panthers during the 2020 season. A former third-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles, he has five career interceptions and 34 pass defenses.

Douglas did practice with the Packers on Wednesday and might be asked to play on Sunday. Starting corner Kevin King also returned to practice after missing the last two games. The Packers will need all the help they can get if they are without their top corner.

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Report: NFC contender ‘making a push’ to sign Cowboys ex-LB Jaylon Smith

The Green Bay Packers are one of “multiple teams” reportedly in the mix to obtain the linebacker released this week by Dallas. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Jaylon Smith may not be on the unemployment line for long.

After being released by the Cowboys on Tuesday night, the 2016 second-round draft pick is drawing interest from several teams around the league. According to one NFL insider, the linebacker’s next gig may take him back to his native Midwest.

The Green Bay Packers  are reportedly “making a push” to obtain Smith’s services, as per Ian Rapoport. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was the quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame in 2014, so he got an up-close look at Smith as a college sophomore terrorizing his passers every day in practice.

Earlier Wednesday, Rapoport mentioned Washington, Cleveland, and Las Vegas as other clubs that may have a need at the position. He revealed that “multiple teams are still in the mix” to land Smith.

The Packers are currently allowing 102 rushing yards per game and giving up an average of 25 points per contest. They’re a bit thin at the linebacker spot these days, with Za’Darius Smith out indefinitely after recent back surgery and Preston Smith leaving their Week 4 game in the first quarter with a shoulder injury.

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Packers interested in former Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith

The Packers are among several teams interested in former Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith.

The Green Bay Packers missed out on the Stephon Gilmore sweepstakes, but they are still in the mix for another high-value target. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Packers are interested in signing former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith.

As Rapoport noted, Matt LaFleur spent time with Smith at the University of Notre Dame. LaFleur was the quarterbacks’ coach in 2014 when Smith was a junior. Perhaps, that familiarity will entice Smith to come to Green Bay.

Dallas released Smith on Tuesday after the 26-year-old linebacker went through a rough start to his 2021 season. The Cowboys have other options at linebacker, including Leighton Vander Esch and rookies Micah Parsons and Jabril Cox.

Meanwhile, the Packers have seen improvement in their linebacker play thanks to free-agent acquisition De’Vondre Campbell. Campbell is currently the sixth-highest rated linebacker, according to Pro Football Focus. Smith is 23rd.

Smith would come in and contribute right away to Green Bay’s defense. He has yet to miss a game in his career and was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2019. During his career, Smith has totaled 516 tackles, 9.0 sacks, six forced fumbles, and two interceptions.

That kind of playmaking would certainly be welcomed on a team that has struggled to find consistency at the linebacker spot.

Packers sign CB Rasul Douglas off Cardinals practice squad

In need of help at cornerback, and after failing to get Stephon Gilmore, the Packers signed Rasul Douglas off the Cardinals’ practice squad.

The Green Bay Packers didn’t get Stephon Gilmore, but the team still needed to make a move to acquire a cornerback, so general manager Brian Gutekunst took one off the practice squad of the Arizona Cardinals.

The team announced the signing of Rasul Douglas from the Cardinals on Wednesday.

Douglas was a third-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017. He’s played in 60 career games, making 29 starts, and has produced five interceptions and 34 pass breakups.

Douglas was with the Carolina Panthers last season. He made 11 starts and was second on the team in pass breakups with nine.

The Packers needed depth help at cornerback with Kevin King still in the concussion protocol and Jaire Alexander dealing with a new shoulder of unknown severity. Douglas will join rookie Eric Stokes Isaac Yiadom and rookie Shemar Jean-Charles as the healthy cornerbacks on the Packers roster.

At the very least, Douglas will provide an experienced option. He’s played at least 400 snaps each of the last four seasons, including a career-high 821 with the Panthers last season.

But manage expectations. According to Pro Football Focus, Douglas has allowed eight total touchdowns without an interception since 2019, and opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating over 100.0 when throwing into his coverage during each of the last two seasons.

Adding Gilmore, the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, could have been a season-defining move. Signing Douglas is a temporary patch over a roster hole.

The Packers are expected to provide an update on Alexander’s injury at some point on Wednesday.

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Panthers trade for Stephon Gilmore, former Packers TE Jace Sternberger signs in Washington

The Panthers traded for CB Stephon Gilmore, and former Packers TE Jace Sternberger is headed for Washington.

Despite a morning of buzz, the Green Bay Packers won’t be acquiring All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore. The Carolina Panthers completed a trade for Gilmore on Wednesday, returning the South Carolina native to the area in a move that cost the team only a sixth-round pick in 2023.

Cap space was apparently an issue for the Packers, who have around $7 million to use in 2021.

Gilmore, now 31, was a first-team All-Pro in both 2018 and 2019 and the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. He could have provided the Packers with a veteran cornerback to help during any games missed by All-Pro Jaire Alexander, who is dealing with a new shoulder injury.

Instead, Gilmore will go to the 3-1 Panthers and play with C.J. Henderson and Donte Jackson in the secondary.

In other transaction news, the Washington Football Team signed former Packers tight end Jace Sternberger off the practice squad of the Seattle Seahawks. The Packers cut Sternberger, a 2019 third-round pick, last month.

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Packers teammate pays off bet on Clemson-BC game with Amari Rodgers

Former Clemson and current Green Bay Packers rookie receiver Amari Rodgers has made bets on a couple of Clemson games with two of his Packers teammates this season. Rodgers lost a bet on the Clemson-Georgia game with Packers 2021 first-round draft …

Former Clemson and current Green Bay Packers rookie receiver Amari Rodgers has made bets on a couple of Clemson games with two of his Packers teammates this season.

Rodgers lost a bet on the Clemson-Georgia game with Packers 2021 first-round draft pick and former UGA cornerback Eric Stokes, so Rodgers bought Stokes a Louis Vuitton travel bag and backpack as part of their bet after the Bulldogs defeated the Tigers, 10-3, on Sept. 4 in Charlotte.

However, Rodgers came out on the right end of a bet on the Clemson-Boston College game with former BC and current Packers running back A.J. Dillon, with the Tigers defeating the Eagles 19-13 last Saturday at Death Valley.

Rodgers posted the following video of Dillon paying off their bet by wearing Clemson gear provided by Rodgers in the Packers locker room:

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore wants to play for Packers

According to Albert Breer of MMQB.com, Stephon Gilmore wants to play for the Packers.

The Green Bay Packers might be the preferred destination for cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who will either be traded or released by the New England Patriots.

Albert Breer of MMQB.com told 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston that he’s heard Gilmore wants to play for the Packers.

ESPN first reported on the potential release of Gilmore, although the move isn’t official and a trade is still possible.

Gilmore was the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Issues with his contract and a significant quad injury suffered last year have led to his likely departure from New England.

Playing for the Packers could give Gilmore a real shot at competing for a title in 2021, and it’s possible the team – in full-on win-now mode – could make a salary bump happen for the star cornerback.

Packers receiver Davante Adams is already in recruitment mode. He commented, “Call me.” on Gilmore’s farewell post on Instagram.

It’s possible a trade could happen as soon as Wednesday. If released, Gilmore would be free to sign with any team.

The Packers have a potential need at cornerback, considering the injuries to both Jaire Alexander and Kevin King. Getting Gilmore could turn Matt LaFleur’s team into one of the true Super Bowl favorites in the NFC.

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Davante Adams instantly recruited Stephon Gilmore after news of split with Patriots

It seems like Stephon Gilmore will have no shortage of suitors.

The New England Patriots and cornerback Stephon Gilmore are on the verge of a breakup, with the team intending to release or trade the star before the end of the day on Wednesday. That has kicked up discussion of where he’ll land. It seems Gilmore has at least one player trying to recruit him.

Just after Gilmore released a statement on Twitter to say goodbye to New England, Packers star Davante Adams responded on Twitter: “Call me.” Apparently, Adams wants to make sure Gilmore knows he’d be welcome in Green Bay. Gilmore, one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks, is sure to have interest from just about every NFL team, including the Packers.

So long as the Patriots cannot find a trade partner by 4 p.m., Gilmore will be free to sign with whatever team he thinks is best for him. Considering he was entrenched in a contract dispute with New England, there’s no doubt finances will play a part in the cornerback’s decision.

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