Tag: Tariq Carpenter

Former Packers draft pick Tariq Carpenter to make Steelers debut vs. former team

The Packers will see a familiar face on Sunday: 2022 draft pick Tariq Carpenter will make his Steelers debut against his former team.

The Green Bay Packers will see a familiar face on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tariq Carpenter, a seventh-round pick of the Packers in 2022, was elevated from the Steelers practice squad on Saturday and will make his season debut on Sunday against the Packers, his former team.

The Steelers list Carpenter as a linebacker, a position he was trying to learn in Green Bay this summer. He was signed to the Steelers practice squad a day after being released by the Packers during final cuts in August.

After nine weeks developing on the Steelers practice squad, Carpenter is ready to make his 2023 season debut. He will help replace linebacker Cole Holcomb, who is on injured reserve.

Carpenter, the 228th pick in the 2022 draft, played in 14 games for the Packers last season. He was on the field for 134 snaps on special teams and was a core member for Rich Bisaccia down the stretch as a rookie.

Expect to see Carpenter — who now wears No. 49 for the Steelers– on the field for special teams snaps on Sunday.

In other former Packers news, Steelers defensive lineman Montravius Adams — a third-round pick of the Packers in 2017 — is inactive. He is a starter for the Steelers defense but won’t play Sunday due to an injury.

Former Packers LB Tariq Carpenter headed to Steelers practice squad

Released by the Packers on Wednesday, LB Tariq Carpenter is leaving Green Bay to sign with the Steelers practice squad.

The Green Bay Packers won’t be bringing back linebacker Tariq Carpenter on the team’s practice squad. Per Rob Demovsky of ESPN, Carpenter is signing to the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Packers released Carpenter from the 53-man roster on Wednesday, and he cleared waivers on Thursday. Defensive lineman Jonathan Ford, who was released with Carpenter on Wednesday, also cleared waivers.

With an open practice squad spot, the Packers signed linebacker Kristian Welch, a Wisconsin native and experienced special teamer.

It’s possible Carpenter wanted a fresh start. He was stuck behind four veteran inside linebackers on the Packers depth chart. It’s also possible Carpenter no longer wanted to play linebacker and sought a team that would let him go back to safety.

Carpenter, a 2022 seventh-round pick, played in 14 games for the Packers last season. He played 120 snaps on special teams and registered seven special teams tackles.

Drafted as a safety, Carpenter was in the middle of a transition to linebacker with the Packers.

In related news, former Packers cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles signed to the practice squad of the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday. The 2021 fifth-round pick played in 20 games for the Packers over the last two seasons.

The Packers signed 16 players to the practice squad on Wednesday. All 16 were with Green Bay during training camp.

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Packers releasing LB Tariq Carpenter after making waiver claims

Despite making the initial 53-man roster, LB Tariq Carpenter will be released by the Packers on Wednesday.

One of the two roster moves required to fit the waiver claims of tight end Ben Sims and safety Zayne Anderson by the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday will be releasing linebacker Tariq Carpenter, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.

Carpenter was a seventh-round pick of the Packers in 2022. He played in 14 games as a rookie and was on the field for 122 snaps on special teams and 16 on defense. A key member of the special teams down the stretch, Carpenter produced eight total tackles.

The Packers transitioned Carpenter to full-time inside linebacker this offseason.

During the preseason, Carpenter played 71 snaps at linebacker but mostly struggled while playing on the third team.

It’s unclear if returning on the Packers practice squad will be an option for Carpenter.

In addition to releasing Carpenter, the Packers must make another move to fit Sims and Anderson on the roster. The team is also expected to place Luke Tenuta on injured reserve and re-sign long snapper Matt Orzech.

Packers place LB Tariq Carpenter, S Tarvarius Moore on non-football injury list

The Packers placed Tariq Carpenter and Tarvarius Moore on the non-football injury list to open training camp.

The Green Bay Packers placed linebacker Tariq Carpenter and safety Tarvarius Moore on the non-football injury (NFI) list to open training camp, according to the league’s transaction report.

Veterans reported to camp on Tuesday. The first training camp practice is scheduled for Wednesday.

Carpenter and Moore join rookies Grant DuBose and Camren McDonald on the NFI list. Rashan Gary, Eric Stokes and Jeff Cotton were placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

Carpenter, a 2022 seventh-round pick, is making the transition to full-time linebacker entering Year 2. Moore, who was once a starter at safety for the 49ers, signed with the Packers in March. Both could be key special teamers for Rich Bisaccia.

Coach Matt LaFleur may be able to provide more information on the return timeline of the two players on Wednesday. Carpenter and Moore were both participants during the offseason workout program.

Although both have a strong chance of making the roster, neither Carpenter nor Moore can afford to miss too many reps during camp. Carpenter is a core special teamer but is now changing positions, while Moore is attempting to win a starting job at safety.

Players placed on the NFI list still count against the 90-man roster but can come off the list at any point. The “non-football injury” designation is used for injuries sustained away from NFL practices or games.

Packers move Tariq Carpenter to linebacker to ‘see where he best fits’

Packers coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Tariq Carpenter has moved from safety to linebacker.

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The position change was teased by Tariq Carpenter earlier this year, but the Green Bay Packers confirmed Carpenter’s transition from safety to linebacker during the offseason workout program. Coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers are attempting to find where Carpenter, a top special teams player as a rookie, works best in the defensive 11.

“He’s been (at linebacker) predomiantly the entire offseason, LaFleur said after Tuesday’s practice. “Just a move we felt could be in the best interest of him. We’ve all seen his value on (special) teams and the impact he can make. Just another way to see where he best fits.”

On the team’s official roster, Carpenter is now listed as a linebacker.

The 6-3, 230-pounder played 33 of his 81 total preseason snaps last year at a traditional safety spot. However, Carpenter played some linebacker at Georgia Tech and the Senior Bowl, so the transition is a natural one for a bigger-bodied safety who can move and doesn’t fear the contact of playing in the box.

The 2022 seventh-rounder made his mark with the third phase as a rookie. On special teams, Carpenter played 120 snaps across five different units. He tallied seven tackles, missed just one tackle and committed just a single penalty. Over the final eight games of 2022, Carpenter tallied at least one tackle in six games.

The Packers may see Carpenter as a core special teamer for Rich Bisaccia and likely want to both maximize his ability to get on the field on defense and provide more versatility in the scheme overall. Having the ability to be on the field as a subpackage linebacker gives Carpenter a better chance of making the team as a hybrid player who can provide depth-chart help at two positions in a pinch.

The Packers have two starters (Quay Walker, De’Vondre Campbell) and two dependable and experienced backups (Eric Wilson, Isaiah McDuffie) at the position, so moving Carpenter to linebacker opens the door to the Packers keeping five on the initial 53-man roster.

Packers searching for defined defensive role for versatile Tariq Carpenter

Safety, linebacker, pass-rusher? The Packers are exploring the options with second-year player Tariq Carpenter.

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During a virtual draft party hosted by the Green Bay Packers earlier this year, second-year player Tariq Carpenter mentioned that he had been moved from linebacker to safety. However, what his exact role in this defense will be remains a bit of an unknown.

Carpenter played nearly 2,200 snaps at safety while at Georgia Tech, and that is where he was listed at during his first season in Green Bay. He saw just 17 defensive snaps in 2022, 13 of which came as a free safety.

Listed at 6-3 and 230 pounds, Carpenter has the frame of a linebacker. For some context, De’Vondre Campbell is listed at 6-3 and 232 pounds. Carpenter brings athleticism to the position, recording a Relative Athletic Score of 8.92 during the pre-draft process, which included a 4.52 second 40 time. He’s also a capable tackler and willing defender against the run.

Carpenter may be in the linebacker room for team meetings for the time being, but from the sounds of it, the Packers are still going to see how OTAs, training camp, and the preseason play out in order to figure out how to best utilize him.

“When he came in last year, his weight was 225-230,” said defensive backs coach Ryan Downard last week. “So he would go a play or two, and he was out of breath at the safety position. They’re running. By the time we got to the end of the season, there were some times at practice where he got downhill and thudded a couple of our backs, and I thought this guy has the ability to run. We saw that in the preseason too. I think he can do both (play linebacker or safety), but we will see where we put him.”

By the end of the 2022 season, Carpenter had established himself as one of core members of the Packers’ special teams unit, taking snaps on a variety of phases. Despite taking the 14th most snaps on the team, Carpenter finished with the third-most solo tackles on the unit.

Whether listed as a safety or a linebacker, Carpenter is again most likely going to be a primary special teams player this season. My guess is that, in part, Green Bay moved him to linebacker because it would be easier to keep him on the roster at that position than at safety. Although there are question marks around the safety group, it is also a crowded room, with Rudy Ford, Tarvarius Moore, Jonathan Owens, Anthony Johnson, and Dallin Leavitt all competing for either playing time alongside Darnell Savage or simply a roster spot.

On the flip side, by moving Carpenter to linebacker, that very well could mean that the Packers have to roster five players at that position — something they have done previously — or would have to be willing to move on from Isaiah McDuffie or Eric Wilson, two other core special teamers.

As the Packers attempt to carve out a defensive role for Carpenter, we could see him lined up all over the field this summer and used in a variety of ways. This also doesn’t only include linebacker or safety, or as a run defender or in coverage, but Green Bay could utilize Carpenter as a pass rusher as well. In that same interview, Carpenter mentioned that he spent some time at edge rusher during a few practices last season.

“He’s kind of a freak athletically,” said Downard last. “I think he gives us options to do some more exotic things with him because he can rush the passer. We will see if he can do that. We will see if he can cover. He’s got the ability to play both really.”

Packers moving Tariq Carpenter to linebacker to start 2023

Tariq Carpenter will move to linebacker to start the 2023 season for the Packers.

The Green Bay Packers are moving Tariq Carpenter to linebacker to start his second NFL season. Carpenter, who arrived in Green Bay as a safety, confirmed the position switch in an interview with Wayne Larrivee on Wednesday.

Carpenter, a seventh-round pick last year, said he played safety to start his rookie season, briefly moved to outside linebacker and then wound up back at safety to end 2022. He played in 14 games as a rookie, logging 122 snaps on special teams and producing eight special teams tackles.

Coach Matt LaFleur tinkered with the idea of playing Carpenter at linebacker after taking him with the 228th overall pick last April. It appears the move is finally happening now, a year later.

Carpenter has the build and movement ability to be an effective nickel linebacker who comes on the field in passing downs.

The team’s unexpected experiment at outside linebacker was likely the result of depth issues at the position following Rashan Gary’s season-ending injury. The Packers acquired Justin Hollins off waivers in November, eliminating the problem.

Carpenter said he expects to line up “behind the big guys” as an off-ball linebacker. He weighed as much as 240 pounds last year, got down to 230 to start the season but then dropped into the 215 range as the year progressed. He’s back in the 220 range, his preferred weight.

Carpenter played some linebacker snaps at Georgia Tech and then saw action at linebacker during the Senior Bowl. While lacking some change of direction ability at safety, his size, strength and athleticism make for an easy fit as an inside-the-box defender.

During the preseason last August, Carpenter played 29 snaps in the box or slot and 33 at free safety.

Carpenter would be the fifth inside linebacker on the roster, behind starters Quay Walker and De’Vondre Campbell and core special teamers Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson.

The Packers have Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, Dallin Leavitt, Tarvarius Moore, Innis Gaines and James Wiggins at safety, so moving to linebacker could help Carpenter’s chances of making the roster again in 2023.

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Unpacking Future Packers: No. 83, California DB Daniel Scott

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Cal safety Daniel Scott, a potential special teams ace.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL draft.

With the 228th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Tariq Carpenter. The Georgia Tech defensive back was a prospect that entered the NFL Draft with plenty of experience playing on special teams during his collegiate career.

That special teams experience helped the seventh-round pick make an impact during his rookie season, as he played 120 special teams snaps and really stood out down the stretch for the Packers.

A player that Brian Gutekunst could target on day three of the 2023 NFL Draft that has plenty of special teams experience is Daniel Scott. The California safety checks in at No. 83 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown. 

Scott finished his career as a Golden Bear with 661 career snaps on special teams and recorded 11 tackles. He was named the team’s Most Valuable Special Teams Player in 2019. It’s part of his game that could make him an attractive day-three target for the Packers and it could allow him to make an immediate impact during his first year in the league. 

“He’s got good wheels, a good frame, and good anticipation skills,” Jim McGill, the editor for BearsInsider.com said. “A good special teams player always mitigates the risk when drafting a guy because of his versatility.”

After playing primarily on special teams early in his career, Scott became a full-time starter in 2021 and responded with 82 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, and one touchdown. This past season, Scott recorded 85 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and three interceptions. 

“Scott was 11th in the league in tackles as a junior and ninth as a senior and was tied for third in the league in interceptions with three as a junior and tied for fourth in the league with three as a senior,” McGill said. “He’s a well-rounded, reliable member of the secondary playing at a consistently fairly elite level.”

Scott doesn’t pop when you turn on the film. He’s a little like former Green Bay defensive back Micah Hyde during his time at 1265 Lombardi Avenue. He doesn’t do any one thing at an elite level, he’s just a solid, all-around player with a high football IQ, that’s never out of position. 

“Scott’s intelligence and preparation give him intangible edges that combined with his prototype NFL body make him a consistently strong player,” McGill said. “He played and learned behind two NFL safeties in Ashtyn Davis and Jaylinn Hawkins and lived with them and studied film with them for two years before they went to the league and they all lived and breathed football.”

Scott offers versatility in the secondary. He can play down in the box and has the size to cover tight ends. He has experience playing in the slot, or he can play free safety. 

He has the quickness to cover a lot of real estate to play deep safety. As a nickel corner, Scott has quick feet and adequate short-area quickness.

Scott processes things quickly and shows good route recognition. He has plus-ball skills and is able to jump routes to make plays on the ball. 

“Scott has a natural ability reading routes and he’s a big film guy so he’s going to know his opponent’s tendencies heading into every game,” McGill said. “He’s rarely out of position or straight-up beaten on routes.”

At 6-0, 210 pounds, Scott is well-built for the position. Scott isn’t a tone-setter in run support and doesn’t fly downhill with bad intentions, but he’s not afraid to get his nose dirty. He needs to clean up his technique (36 missed tackles in the past two seasons). 

“He has a nice frame for run support and isn’t afraid to stick his nose in there,” McGill said. “At this stage of his career, I wouldn’t call him an enforcer but he’s more than capable in the run game.”

Fit with the Packers

Darnell Savage, Carpenter, and James Wiggins are the only safeties under contract for the Packers. Gutekunst will have to address the position via free agency or the NFL Draft. 

With the Packers being strapped for cash, it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to sign a big name in free agency. 

Savage is in the final year of his rookie deal. It’s reasonable to expect Gutekunst to spend multiple picks on the safety position in the upcoming draft. 

With his special teams experience and high football IQ, Scott would make for an attractive day-three pick for the Packers.

“If someone doesn’t draft Scott, they’re missing out on a player who definitely has a future in the league,” McGill said. “He’s the consummate team player and intelligent, mature guy.”

The Packers need bodies at safety and they need to continue to improve on special teams. Scott could make an immediate impact on special teams while vying for playing time in the secondary. He may never turn into a full-time starter, but there is value in adding core special teams players on the third day of the draft.

Packers rookie review: S Tariq Carpenter

Reviewing the rookie season of Packers seventh round pick Tariq Carpenter.

The Green Bay Packers made 11 picks during the 2022 NFL draft: six offensive players and five defensive players.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be going through and reviewing the 2022 season for all of the Packers’ rookies. Next up: the first of four seventh-round picks made by the Packers, safety Tariq Carpenter.

Packers rookie impact: A pair of special teams standouts

Can Samori Toure and Tariq Carpenter become special teams standouts as rookies in Green Bay?

This is volume II of a VII part series ranking the impact the 2022 draft class will provide for the Green Bay Packers. In part I, we took a look at the potential impact a pair of seventh round picks may provide if they make the roster. 

In Volume II we’ll take a look at two more seventh-round selections that could provide an immediate impact on special teams for the Packers.

9). Samori Toure, WR

The Packers selected the Nebraska wide receiver with the 258th overall pick, making him the third wide receiver that Brian Gutekunst selected in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Looking at Green Bay’s wide receiver depth chart it’s hard to see a path to playing time on offense for the former Montana wide receiver. Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Sammy Watkins, Christian Watson, Amari Rodgers and Romeo Doubs all seem like roster locks. 

Toure’s pathway to the roster is special teams. Anything he offers on the offensive side of the ball will be gravy. 

Toure has experience as a kick returner and has the speed (4.44 40-yard time) to carve out a role as a gunner. 

“I’ve had special teams snaps throughout my career at Montana,” Toure said. “That’s something I can be really good at. I’m going to put a lot of focus towards it entering the NFL.”

Prediction: With his ability to impact special teams, Toure will make it difficult for Green Bay to keep him off the 53-man roster. 

On top of his special teams prowess, Toure checks the boxes as a wide receiver. He’s a big play threat. He’s a polished route runner and he has reliable hands.

“Physically, they definitely look the part,” Aaron Rodgers said on the Pat McAfee Show. “All three of the guys we drafted all have physical gifts. Obviously, the top two picks are bigger, but the seventh-rounder has a lot of stuff to him.”

Even though Rodgers didn’t mention Toure by name, it’s never a bad thing to have the reigning back-to-back MVP say nice things about you, unless you’re Jake Kumerow.

On top of that, it was reported prior to the draft that the Packers had interest in Toure. That’s not nothing. The Packers have never kept more than six wide receivers on the roster under Matt LaFleur. Toure may change that with his ability to impact special teams and his upside as a wide receiver.

8). Tariq Carpenter, LB/S

The Packers needed to get new special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia some hired guns and Gutekunst brought in a trained assassin by selecting Carpenter with the 228th overall pick.

Carpenter is a hybrid defender with the versatility to play safety or linebacker. Immediately following the draft Matt LaFleur said the Packers would slot him in at linebacker.

“We’re going to move him to the inside linebacker,” Green Bay’s head coach said. “He’s a big guy, but he can run.”

Where Carpenter is going to make his living his rookie season is on special teams. At 6-2, 230 pounds, Carpenter has 4.47 speed and is at his best coming downhill. With his size, speed and physical play style, Carpenter figures to be a four-phase special teamer.

“He’s really, really physical,” Brian Gutekunst said following the draft. “We’ll figure out exactly how he fits, whether he goes to the linebacker room or safety room at different times and what packages he plays in on defense, but certainly on special teams is one of the reasons we took him.”

Prediction: With his ability to impact the game on special teams, Carpenter seems like a lock to make the roster. 

Couple that with the versatility that he’ll bring on defense and Carpenter seems like a safe bet to make Green Bay’s 53-man roster.

He may not see a ton of playing time on the defensive side of the ball as a rookie, but he’ll likely play a key role in helping Green Bay improve on special teams.

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