Tag: tyler goodson

Colts make practice squad moves

The Colts made some practice squad moves Tuesday.

The Indianapolis Colts signed three players to the practice squad and released three players from the practice squad, the team announced Tuesday.

Incoming to the practice squad are three players the Colts worked out Monday following their Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Here’s a look at the moves the Colts made to the practice squad Tuesday:

Signed

  • C Jack Anderson
  • RB Tyler Goodson
  • TE Jordan Murray

Released

  • RB Jason Huntley
  • WR Mike Strachan
  • TE Johnny Lumpkin

The Colts still likely need to find some depth at wide receiver and running back, especially with the latter position since Evan Hull is expected to miss time due to a knee injury.

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Colts worked out 8 players

The Colts worked out eight players on Monday.

The Indianapolis Colts worked out eight players at various positions, according to the league’s transaction wire Monday.

As they look to bounce back from the season-opening loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Colts will continue to look for depth across the roster.

Here are the eight players the Colts worked out Monday:

Giants hold workouts for Yodny Cajuste, three others

The New York Giants held workouts for four players on Friday, including offensive lineman Yodny Cajuste.

The New York Giants quietly held workouts on Friday, hosting four players in East Rutherford, New Jersey, including offensive lineman Yodny Cajuste.

In addition to Cajuste, safety Nico Bolden and running backs Tyler Goodson and Ellis Merriweather were also in town.

The 27-year-old Cajuste was a third-round pick of the New England Patriots in the 2019 NFL draft. He spent four years playing for Bill Belichick before having a cup of coffee with the New York Jets this offseason.

The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Cajuste has appeared in 17 career games with five starts.

Goodson, 22, signed with the Green Bay Packers as a rookie free agent out of Iowa in 2022. He spent the vast majority of his first season on the team’s practice squad before being elevated in late December.

After an impressive training camp was cut short due to a shoulder injury, the Packers released Goodson with an injury settlement earlier this week.

Bolden was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent and released as a part of final cuts. Similarly, Merriweather was inked to an undrafted free agent contract by the New Orleans Saints before being released in late August as a part of the team’s final cuts.

Merriweather was briefly signed to the Saints’ practice squad but that lasted just 24 hours.

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Packers RB Tyler Goodson’s 2023 goal is to make 53-man roster

Tyler Goodson wants to go into the 2023 season as the Packers’ No. 3 running back on the 53-man roster.

Green Bay Packers running back Tyler Goodson has just one goal for the 2023 season: make the 53-man roster.

“That’s the only goal and that’s the only thing on my mind,” he told Larry McCarren of Packers.com on Thursday. “If I don’t make the 53, then it’s unacceptable because I’m not trying to be in a position where I’m on the practice squad again.”

After rushing for 2,551 yards and scoring 19 touchdowns at Iowa, Goodson spent all last year on the Packers practice squad. The team decided to carry only two running backs on their initial 53-man roster, Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon, leaving no room for a rookie undrafted free agent.

When Green Bay did activate a third running back during the season, they chose Patrick Taylor, who had been with the team since 2020. Taylor is also back and competing for RB3 duties after totaling 10 rushes for 31 yards in 14 games in 2022.

It’s entirely possible, if not likely, that Green Bay will have only two running backs on the initial roster once again. However, Goodson could make it a much harder decision if he proves his versatility can be of use this season.

Going back to OTAs, Goodson has been lining up all over the field in Matt LaFleur’s offense. He’s been in the backfield, in the slot, going in motion, and working with multiple groups on special teams. Overall, LaFleur liked what he saw out of Goodson throughout the offseason program.

“Tyler’s done a nice job. We’ve used him in a variety of different ways, whether it’s out as a receiver or in the backfield,” LaFleur said in June. “He’s an explosive player and he’s got really good hands.”

Goodson used every bit of his explosiveness and catching ability on Thursday. During a two-minute drill, he caught a pass from Sean Clifford in the flat and turned it upfield for a 38-yard pickup. Then, during another team period, Goodson took a handoff and found a lane up the middle for a 39-yard score.

He later discussed the touchdown with McCarren.

“Basically, it was a weak side run, and once I got the ball, I had to press my aiming point inside the tackle. Once I saw that the five-technique outside of the tackle had his leverage forcing me back inside, it was an open gash. All I had to do was put my foot in the ground, get my shoulder square, and just run.”

Ideally, it would be great for Goodson to continue to produce once the preseason starts. Ultimately, that could be the determining factor in whether or not he makes the 53.

Prior to Thursday’s practice, LaFleur said a different running back would be featured in each preseason game or be given a half. While the logistics are still being hashed out, no one, including Goodson, knows when he will get the chance to prove himself. His only choice is to seize the opportunity when it arrives if he wants to achieve his 2023 goal.

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Aaron Jones believes second-year RB Tyler Goodson will be ‘weapon’ for Packers

Packers RB Aaron Jones sees second-year RB Tyler Goodson as a potential “weapon” for the offense in 2023.

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The top two running back spots for the Green Bay Packers in 2023 will be occupied by Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon, but an explosive second-year runner made some noise this offseason and will be right in the running for the third roster spot come training camp.

Tyler Goodson.

As the offseason workout program concluded this week, Jones went as far as to say Goodson could be a “weapon” for the Packers in 2023.

“I think Tyler Goodson will be a weapon for us. He’s been out here balling, working hard,” Jones said Tuesday.

Goodson, an undrafted free agent out of Iowa who spent all of last season on the Packers practice squad, returned to Green Bay for the start of Year 2 in top physical shape. Packers Wire’s Paul Bretl said Goodson showed “very good vision” and “excellent burst” and was “very smooth as a pass catcher” while taking some snaps in the slot during the offseason workout program.

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Could this be the start of a second-year leap? Coach Matt LaFleur believes Goodson “really matured” as a professional between his rookie season and now.

“He’s got a much better grasp of the expectations of what it takes to be a pro,” LaFleur said. “He’s got two great examples in that (running back) room…I think that’s a huge help in that room.”

LaFleur sees Goodson as a versatile and explosive player who can do the traditional things asked of the running back position while also providing value as a receiver, noting he has “really good hands.”

Goodson said he worked on his explosiveness leading into the offseason workout program.

“I feel really good. I feel like the work I put in the offseason before I came here definitely showed,” Goodson told Packers.com. “I can feel the movements in my body paying off…it’s great to see. I really care and I put in the time to be the best player on the field.”

Goodson knows special teams is the easiest way to the roster as the No. 3 running back. His top competitor, Patrick Taylor, played extensively on special teams last season. Goodson brings return value but would need to carve out a bigger role in the third phase.

Given his burst and experience as a returner, Goodson could be an option in a Tyler Ervin-like role that includes snaps in the backfield, receiving opportunities and on jet-sweep motion.

Offensively, the Packers need all hands on deck in the first year of the Jordan Love era. Goodson, who rushed for over 2,500 yards and caught 70 passes at Iowa, could be one surprising part of the bigger puzzle in terms of available playmakers around the first-year starting quarterback.

Packers Wire talks maturity and growth shown from former Iowa RB Tyler Goodson

Former Iowa Hawkeyes running back is entering his second year with the Green Bay Packers. There is belief he could take a big step forward.

When he was a member of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Tyler Goodson lit up the stat sheet in the running and passing game. His dual-threat ability out of the backfield was instrumental in Iowa’s offensive successes.

That same talent and skillset seem to be blossoming for Goodson as he begins his second NFL season with the Green Bay Packers. Goodson is showing growth and maturity as discussed by the Packers’ coaching staff. Packers Wire sounded off on Goodson’s positive developments so far.

“Tyler’s done a nice job. We’ve used him in a variety of different ways, whether it’s out as a receiver or in the backfield,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said about Goodson’s versatility. “He’s an explosive player and he’s got really good hands.”

That sort of pass-catching ability was evident at Iowa. The Georgia native out of North Gwinnett High School hauled in 70 receptions for 565 yards with his career-long being 67 yards. With the skillset to create mismatches, Goodson gives himself a great chance to make the active roster.

The Packers may see Goodson as a player who can line up at receiver positions, carry the ball out of the backfield and even do some gadget-type things like jet motion and jet sweeps. Goodson has also spent time in the returning groups during the offseason workout program. Versatility and special teams contributions will be key as Goodson attempts to win a 53-man roster spot this summer. – Zach Kruse, Packers Wire.

Goodson is up against Lew Nicholas and Patrick Taylor as the three battle for the third running back spot on the Packers. Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon have a commanding hold on the first two spots, but Goodson’s similar playing style to that of the pass-catching and quick-footed Jones could be where he has the largest advantage.

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Packers testing versatility of ‘explosive’ RB Tyler Goodson

The Packers believe RB Tyler Goodson is more mature entering Year 2, and his explosiveness and receiving ability could make him a versatile weapon.

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After a year learning the ropes behind Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon in Ben Sirman’s position group, Green Bay Packers running back Tyler Goodson is ready to take a step and potentially become a versatile new weapon for Matt LaFleur’s offense in 2023.

“Tyler’s done a nice job. We’ve used him in a variety of different ways, whether it’s out as a receiver or in the backfield,” LaFleur said Tuesday. “He’s an explosive player and he’s got really good hands.”

Goodson arrived in Green Bay as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa last year. He spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad, although he was elevated to the active roster for one game in December.

LaFleur believes Goodson made the most of his year on the practice squad, and he credited Jones, Dillon and Sirmans for leading the way in terms of his maturity development.

“I think he’s a guy that has really matured over the course of a year,” LaFleur said. “He’s got a much better grasp of the expectations of what it takes to be a pro. He’s got two great examples in that (running back) room…I think that’s a huge help in that room.”

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Sirmans, who has been the Packers running back coach since 2016, has a long list of backs he’s developed into quality players in Green Bay. Could Goodson be next?

It’s possible the Packers could attempt to maximize Goodson’s athleticism and receiving talent in a unique role, possibily similar to how Tyler Ervin was once used in 2019 and 2020.

At Iowa, Goodson rushed for 2,551 yards but also caught 70 passes over three seasons.

Here’s Goodson running routes from the slot during individual drills at Tuesday’s practice, via Packers Wire’s Paul Bretl:

Per Bretl, all the Packers running backs have been running routes as receivers during open OTA practices.

At least in terms of size and athleticism, Goodson shares many qualities with Jones, who is a slashing runner and highly capable receiver out of the backfield.

The Packers may see Goodson as a player who can line up at receiver positions, carry the ball out of the backfield and even do some gadget-type things like jet motion and jet sweeps. Goodson has also spent time in the returning groups during the offseason workout program. Versatility and special teams contributions will be key as Goodson attempts to win a 53-man roster spot this summer.

Packers elevate K Ramiz Ahmed, RB Tyler Goodson from practice squad to gameday roster for Week 17

The Packers elevated K Ramiz Ahmed and RB Tyler Goodson from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 17 against the Vikings.

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The Green Bay Packers elevated kicker Ramiz Ahmed and running back Tyler Goodson from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 17. The move was announced Saturday, making Ahmed and Goodson available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday’s showdown with the Minnesota Vikings.

Ahmed was previously elevated to the gameday roster for Week 10 against the Cowboys. He handled kickoffs for Mason Crosby, who was battling a back injury at the time.

The idea is probably similar this time around. Ahmed is likely to be used on kickoffs, where his strong leg will provide an opportunity to get the football into the end zone and avoid returns from Kene Nwangwu of the Vikings.

Of Crosby’s 62 kickoffs this season, 50 have been returned. The weather doesn’t help. Of his last 32 kickoffs, 29 have been returned. The 38-year-old just doesn’t have the leg strength to consistently kick the ball out of range of the returner, especially in colder temps.

Ahmed played six snaps (all on kickoffs) and had one assisted tackle during the Packers’ win over the Cowboys. Three of his six kickoffs were returned.

Nwangwu is among the league leaders in kickoff return yardage and kickoff return average, and he’s the only player in the NFL with more than one kickoff return touchdown over the last two seasons.

Although the Packers have covered kicks well this season, a touchback is the safest option against a great returner.

In Goodson, the Packers will have another running back who can handle carries and possibly help in the return game as an emergency option. This is the first elevation to the gameday roster for the undrafted rookie from Iowa.

All teams are allowed to elevate up to two players from the practice squad each week. An individual player can only be elevated from the practice squad three times per season, so Ahmed now has one more elevation available this season. Goodson has two. On Monday, Ahmed and Goodson will revert back to the practice squad.

Elevations by week

Week 1: WR Juwann Winfree, S Micah Abernathy
Week 2: RB Patrick Taylor
Week 3: WR Juwann Winfree
Week 4: CB Kiondre Thomas
Week 5: None
Week 6: WR Juwann Winfree
Week 7: OLB La’Darius Hamilton
Week 8: S Innis Gaines, OLB Kobe Jones
Week 9: None
Week 10: OLB La’Darius Hamilton, K Ramiz Ahmed
Week 11: OLB La’Darius Hamilton
Week 12: RB Patrick Taylor, S Innis Gaines
Week 13: S Micah Abernathy, RB Patrick Taylor
Week 17: K Ramiz Ahmed, RB Tyler Goodson

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Packers signing RBs Patrick Taylor, Tyler Goodson to practice squad

The Packers are getting back RBs Patrick Taylor and Tyler Goodson on the practice squad.

Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur revealed Wednesday that running backs Patrick Taylor and Tyler Goodson have both signed back to the team’s practice squad.

The Packers released Taylor and Goodson on Tuesday and kept only two running backs – Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon – on the team’s initial 53-man roster. LaFleur said Taylor and Goodson will both be options as game-day call-ups from the practice squad as the Packers attempt to navigate a four-week window while Kylin Hill is on the PUP list.

General manager Brian Gutekunst also mentioned receiver Amari Rodgers as an option in the backfield early in the season.

Taylor, who played in eight games for the Packers last season, brings a physical inside running presence, pass-blocking trust and special teams value, while Goodson – an undrafted rookie out of Iowa – was electric with the ball in his hands, both as a runner and receiver, during the preseason.

Taylor rushed 18 times for 71 yards and caught three passes for 17 yards during the preseason, while Goodson rushed 28 times for a team-high 107 yards and a 24-yard touchdown and caught eight passes for 60 yards.

Track all the Packers’ practice squad signings on Wednesday here.

Projecting the Chargers’ initial 16-man practice squad

Here’s our best guess at which 16 players will be back as members of the Chargers practice squad heading into the regular season.

With the 53-man roster set, the Chargers’ next task will be to build their practice squad. The squad has steadily increased in size in recent years, with up to 16 players allowed on the 2022 version. Up to four of those players can have less than two seasons of NFL experience, and up to six of them can be NFL veterans of any experience level. The rest must be players who have less than nine games of active roster experience in their career.

Let’s take a stab at a possible group Los Angeles could bring in for their squad:

RB Leddie Brown

While Brown didn’t receive many reps in the preseason, I do believe he made a bigger impression on the coaching staff than Kevin Marks Jr. did. Brown ran for 1,000 yards multiple times during his career at West Virginia, but his issue has always been speed. He’s a potential developmental option behind the four running backs on the 53 thanks to his pass-catching ability.

RB Tyler Goodson

Goodson was left off Green Bay’s initial 53-man roster, and while it’s likely that the Packers keep him on their practice squad, running backs coach Derrick Foster is familiar with the rookie. Foster was the running backs coach at Iowa from 2018-20. In the last year of that tenure, Goodson was named first-team All-Big Ten at running back, Iowa’s first such honoree since 2008. If he slips through waivers and isn’t immediately signed to Green Bay’s practice squad, Foster could campaign for him to make the move to Los Angeles.

WR Michael Bandy

Bandy’s preseason performance was phenomenal, but his size would always limit him to the slot, where the Chargers have a lot of flexibility with the receivers on the 53. If the 2020 UDFA gets through waivers, he should be the first player LA calls when building the practice squad. Bandy is an NFL route runner, full stop. The only reason he’s not on a roster is his lack of inside/outside versatility.

WR Trevon Bradford

Bradford seems the likeliest of the next tier of wide receivers to stay on the squad, as he had plenty of moments in practice. He also had a nice stop-and-start move in the second preseason game against the Cowboys. The rookie undrafted free agent has some traits to work with and I think he’s worth being kept him around.

WR Joe Reed

There’s still something to unlock with Reed, who flashed the ability to play on the outside this preseason before getting injured and missing the last preseason game. Before the preseason, it seemed like Reed was purely a slot and kick return guy. But perhaps his flashes will encourage the Chargers to keep him around for a healthy season in 2022 to see if he can push for a roster spot next offseason.

TE Hunter Kampmoyer

While Kampmoyer may not have done enough to make the 53, I’m sure LA will try to keep him around for his special teams value. Kampmoyer worked with the first team kickoff unit throughout training camp, a role that will now mostly be taken by Tre’ McKitty. The former undrafted free agent is a likely candidate to use up his three call-ups to provide some extra help on special teams, especially if the team gets off to a slow start.

TE Jace Sternberger

Another former Packer, Sternberger was cut by the Steelers on Monday as they trimmed their roster down to 53 as well. Tight ends coach Kevin Koger worked as an offensive quality control coach in Green Bay for Sternberger’s first two seasons, presenting another potential opportunity for LA’s position coaches to petition for a player they’re familiar with. Sternberger is another special teams value addition who could also fill the fourth tight end spot on the active roster if the Chargers feel they need one.

OT Foster Sarell

As of right now, it seems like Sarell will be brought back to the practice squad instead of Zack Bailey, who seems like a waiver claim candidate elsewhere around the league. Sarell split the second team left tackle duties with Bailey this preseason, and I thought Sarell was the better player. Bailey does have side versatility as someone that can play the left and right sides, whereas Sarell is locked in on the left side. But he’s worth putting more developmental time into as a potential backup.

G Ryan Hunter

Whether Hunter comes back or not at this point seems like a coin flip. In my opinion, the 27-year-old played well enough to earn a roster spot somewhere but ultimately lost his spot to Brenden Jaimes. If he’s amiable to returning, he’d be an excellent depth piece from the practice squad with call-up potential if either Jaimes, Will Clapp, or Jamaree Salyer go down with injuries.

DL Andrew Brown

Brown made a few plays for the Chargers this preseason, but he was always on the outside looking in with a locked and loaded top 5 and a tight competition between Breiden Fehoko and Christian Covington for IDL6. He could be a waiver claim candidate or move on to greener pastures if given the opportunity, but if he decides to return, he’d be a valuable addition a la Fehoko last season.

EDGE Jamal Davis II

I thought Davis did nearly enough to make the initial roster, but his lack of refinement as a pass rusher is likely what kept him off the 53. He’s a great run defender on the edge, and the Chargers did invest in him a little bit by signing him out of the CFL. I think he’ll be back to work on his pass rush arsenal and push for a roster spot in 2023.

EDGE Carlo Kemp

It’s hard to nail down what combination of Davis, Kemp, and Emeke Egbule will end up on the practice squad, but ultimately I think LA will keep Kemp as well. Although he wasn’t a standout in practice, Kemp flashed some real tools during the preseason. A former undrafted free agent who spent the spring in the USFL, Kemp’s football journey has already been arduous. Keeping him around and giving him some stability could unlock something.

CB Isaiah Dunn

The Jets acquired Sauce Gardner and DJ Reed this offseason, which ultimately pushed Dunn off the roster this week. The UDFA out of Oregon State got the largest contract for an undrafted cornerback in 2021 and played in 12 games as a rookie. Like Goodson, Dunn’s preseason team will almost certainly want him back. But if Dunn wants a change of scenery, moving from New York to Los Angeles could be the answer. 

CB Kemon Hall

Hall has steadily improved this offseason and closed out the preseason with a few strong performances, but the depth of the Chargers roster dictated his release on Tuesday. He’d be another valuable special teams addition to the practice squad after spending 2021 on the active roster. As a corner that knows the scheme, keeping him around at least early on while JC Jackson recovers from ankle surgery as emergency depth seems like a good idea.

S Raheem Layne

Layne should be an easy practice squad addition if he’s willing to return. He had an excellent training camp, and while the preseason games weren’t at that same level, he still looked like a competent depth piece. The rookie UDFA was one of the most pleasant surprises of the offseason, but he may feel as though his effort has gone underappreciated by the Chargers. If they can convince him to return, I’d expect him to have a role when he does get called up for his three games this season.

S Mark Webb Jr.

Probably the most surprising cut of the offseason for the Chargers, Webb missed this roster primarily because of his inability to stay on the field. A knee injury ended his season prematurely last year, with a calf issue holding him out of action this preseason. Webb is still injured, and leaving him off the 53 feels like the Chargers trying to sneak him through to the practice squad to rehab in-house without spending a roster spot. It’s no secret that LA is high on Webb’s potential. If he can stay healthy, I expect him to be one of the first permanent call-ups if other players get injured.

Other Names to Consider

RB Darrynton Evans

RB Kevin Harris

RB Justin Jackson

OT AJ Arcuri

OT Tyler Vrabel

G Michael Schofield

DT Tyler Shelvin

EDGE Emeke Egbule

LB Cole Christiansen

S Will Parks