Report: 6 Packers Injury Scare Amid Preseason

The Green Bay Packers began their 2024 preseason with a game against the Cleveland Browns, and we got an early glimpse of starting quarterback Jordan Love performing at a high level. Love delivered an impressive deep pass to promising second-year receiver Dontayvion Wicks, who is expected to play a larger role in the offense this season after a strong rookie year.

However, not everything went smoothly for the Packers. Some players struggled during the game, and others didn’t see any action, which could jeopardize their chances of making the final roster.

Which players are at risk of losing their spots on the team due to their performance or lack of playing time?

1. Sean Clifford, Quarterback

At some point, the Packers will likely consider bringing in another quarterback beyond their current options. Recently, they let go of Jacob Eason, but it was unlikely that Eason was ever viewed as a serious challenger to either Clifford or 7th-round rookie Michael Pratt.

Clifford has had a tough offseason, struggling with interceptions and frequently missing his targets during the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns. While he did connect on a few throws, the Packers need to address the backup QB situation more seriously.

If Jordan Love were to get injured, Clifford’s performance so far doesn’t inspire much confidence that he could step in and handle significant playing time effectively. The Packers value player development highly, but Clifford needs to be in the role of the third quarterback rather than a potential starter in the regular season.

2. Grant DuBose, Wide Receiver

We’re going to go in a slightly different direction with this one. Grant DuBose may not survive the preseason for the Packers based on how deep they currently are at receiver, but he’s not a player whose stock is tumbling by any means.

In fact, I’m more convinced now than ever before that DuBose will help an NFL roster at wide receiver this coming season. The Packers have an embarrassment of riches at this particular position group.

Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Jayden Reed, Bo Melton, and Malik Heath are the top six guys on the team, and it feels like there’s a chance we could see the Packers lose a really good player like DuBose this year. A seventh-round pick last year, DuBose spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad.

The former Charlotte star has outstanding athletic traits, a 6-foot-6 wingspan, short-area quickness, and as we saw in the preseason opener against Cleveland — soft hands.

There’s no such thing as a sure thing in the NFL preseason and the bottom of the roster guys. We might see the Packers entertain the idea of cutting or trading someone like Melton or Heath to keep DuBose if he keeps having a strong preseason. But if DuBose keeps making plays out there, he won’t survive the preseason in Green Bay — in a good way.

The Packers won’t be able to sneak him through waivers this year if he keeps putting things on tape in the preseason. There will always be teams looking to poach off the waiver wire and DuBose looks like he’s ready to contribute to a gameday roster.

3. Greg Joseph, Kicker

The Green Bay Packers are currently in a kicking competition, which is a necessary step after the problems they faced last season. The kicking game, particularly Anders Carlson’s performance, contributed significantly to their struggles.

Carlson, drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, started his career strongly but faltered as the season progressed. He missed a total of 11 kicks during the regular season—six field goals and five extra points—and his performance in the playoffs was notably problematic. This led the Packers to seek competition.

Veteran Greg Joseph, who has made just under 83 percent of his kicks over his career, was brought in as a challenger. Despite the competition being relatively even in training camp, the Packers have recently added another kicker, rookie free agent Alex Hale, suggesting they may have concerns about both Carlson and Joseph.

With several kickers brought in this offseason and ongoing attempts to add more, it’s clear the Packers are looking to push Carlson. However, their actions also imply they might not be fully satisfied with Joseph. If the competition remains tight, it’s likely the Packers would favor Carlson due to their investment in him through the draft. Joseph will need to make a significant impression in the coming weeks to secure a roster spot.

4. Donovan Jennings, Offensive Line

Several Green Bay Packers players could be at risk of being cut as the preseason progresses, and one to watch is Donovan Jennings, a highly sought-after undrafted free agent rookie.

Jennings received a $10,000 signing bonus and $100,000 in guaranteed salary, which is notably higher than any undrafted free agent from last year. This substantial investment suggests the Packers view him as a significant prospect.

However, Jennings has been sidelined with an injury since late July, which hampers his ability to compete and prove himself. While his injury might work in the Packers’ favor by making it easier to keep him on the roster, it also means they haven’t been able to evaluate him on the field.

Jennings was expected to offer positional versatility on the offensive line, a trait the Packers value highly. If he had been healthy, he might have pushed someone like Royce Newman off the roster.

To secure his spot, Jennings will need to participate in the final two preseason games. Otherwise, the Packers might be trying to keep him under wraps to place him on the practice squad without exposing him to other teams.

5. Royce Newman, Offensive Line

There are two main perspectives on Packers offensive lineman Royce Newman at the moment:

1. **Experience Value**: Given the injuries and absences of Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker, and Josh Myers this offseason, some believe it’s essential to keep someone with Newman’s experience. The Packers currently lack depth and quality in the offensive line, making Newman’s experience potentially valuable as a backup.

2. **Performance Concerns**: On the other hand, there are concerns about Newman’s performance. Some feel that he hasn’t done enough to justify a spot on the 53-man roster. Packers fans might prefer keeping a seventh receiver like DuBose over a ninth offensive lineman like Newman.

The Packers’ use of Newman in various positions during their preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns could indicate a couple of things. It might suggest they see Newman as a versatile swing player, giving him reps at multiple spots to evaluate his potential. Alternatively, it could be a strategy to showcase him to the other 31 NFL teams, potentially leading to his claim off waivers if the Packers decide to cut him. Cutting Newman would save the team over $2.25 million, and being in the final year of his contract, they might be willing to release him before the preseason ends to help him find a new opportunity.

Ultimately, the Packers will need to see strong performances from their younger offensive linemen to make their final decision.

6. Samori Toure, Wide Receiver/Return Specialist

Samori Toure is a talented receiver who could be a candidate to hit the waiver wire soon. The Packers might be hoping for a trade, as their preseason debut against the Browns seemed to showcase him to other teams.

In that game, Toure received several touches both offensively and on special teams. He was targeted twice, catching one pass, and had a carry for one yard. Additionally, he returned punts, including a solid 14-yard return on two opportunities.

Despite his potential and previous accolades as an FCS All-American, the Packers’ current wide receiver depth chart leaves little room for Toure. While he might not be as highly regarded as someone like DuBose, there is likely interest from other teams given his skill set. The Packers appear to be highlighting Toure’s abilities to attract potential trade offers.

To increase his chances of being traded, Toure will need to deliver a strong performance in the Packers’ second preseason game. The team is looking to maximize value for players like Toure before finalizing their 90-man roster, which could lead to him joining a new team before the preseason ends.