BREAKING: Green Bay Packers Hit With More Bad News Ahead Of Bears Game
The Green Bay Packers announced that offensive lineman, their 2024 first-round pick, has been placed on injured reserve and will miss at least the next four weeks. Morgan, who previously dealt with a shoulder injury, was not listed on the injury report earlier in the week but reaggravated the issue during practice, according to head coach Matt LaFleur.
The Packers had an open spot on their 53-man roster, so there was no urgency in moving Morgan to injured reserve. Additionally, the team promoted cornerback Robert Rochell from the practice squad to the active roster on Saturday. With defensive end Preston Smith traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay has another available roster spot, likely to be filled by running back MarShawn Lloyd once he recovers from his recent appendicitis diagnosis.
Morgan’s absence thins the Packers’ offensive line depth. He has been the team’s primary interior backup, even rotating at right guard with starter Sean Rhyan when the line is fully healthy. Rookie Jacob Monk, a fifth-round pick, is expected to serve as the backup center and guard. Andre Dillard and Kadeem Telfort will handle backup tackle duties, though they have limited experience on the interior. If further injuries arise, Monk could step in at guard, with right tackle Zach Tom potentially shifting inside.
Earlier in the season, the New England Patriots signed guard Lecitus Smith from the Packers’ practice squad, leaving Green Bay with two practice squad offensive linemen: Donovan Jennings, an undrafted rookie recently recovering from injury, and 6’6″ tackle Spencer Rolland, a former Harvard player signed in Week 7.
Rochell’s promotion also opened a spot on the Packers’ practice squad, likely to be filled by Tuesday after free-agent workouts. Rochell’s addition could indicate uncertainty regarding Jaire Alexander’s status for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears, as Alexander and safety Evan Williams are both questionable.
If Alexander and Williams are sidelined, Keisean Nixon will likely cover the slot, with Javon Bullard shifting to safety and Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine handling the outside cornerback roles in nickel packages. Without Rochell, the Packers would have had just one reserve cornerback, Corey Ballentine, available.