The Green Bay Packers announced four different roster moves — including two moves involving the addition of running backs — following Sunday’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Packers needed to act quickly after both Aaron Jones (knee) and Emanuel Wilson (shoulder) went down with injuries in Week 11. Matt LaFleur’s team goes on the road to play the Detroit Lions on Thursday.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the four moves made Monday:
Sign RB Patrick Taylor off Patriots practice squad
The Packers brought back Taylor, who played in four games for Green Bay earlier this season and has been with the team since 2020. He moved on after being released in October but is back given the Packers’ need at running back. The move implies that both Aaron Jones and Emanuel Wilson will miss Thursday’s showdown with the Lions. Taylor can run, catch and block on offense and is well-versed on special teams, giving him immediate value behind A.J. Dillon against the Lions. The Packers didn’t place Jones or Wilson on injured reserve, suggesting the team doesn’t think either player will miss four or more games. Taylor could play 15 snaps or more in the No. 2 running back role on Thursday.
Release S Dallin Leavitt
Needing a roster spot for Patrick Taylor, the Packers released veteran special teamer Dallin Leavitt. The move is a bit of a surprise given Leavitt’s role on special teams (192 snaps in 2023), but he’s a third-phase player only and is coming off a game in which he drew a pair of penalties on the opening kickoff. The Packers also designated Darnell Savage for return from injured reserve, so the depth at safety is improving. It’s possible the roster, given the injuries at running back, just didn’t have enough room for a specialized player like Leavitt, especially after his meltdown to open Sunday’s game. Given the circumstances, a return might be unlikely.
Sign RB James Robinson to practice squad
A move reported earlier Monday. Robinson spent a few weeks on the Packers practice squad earlier this season and now returns as a likely elevation candidate for Thursday. The former Jaguars running back and All-Rookie team pick provides another veteran option should the Packers need help behind A.J. Dillon against the Lions. Expect him to be elevated from the practice squad and be active Thursday. It’ll be Dillon, Taylor and Robinson at running back for the Thanksgiving Day showdown.
Release S Christian Young from practice squad
The Packers needed to make a spot for Robinson on the practice squad, and releasing rookie safety Christian Young was the mechanism for getting it done. Young signed to the practice squad on Oct. 3. It’s possible he could return once the Packers get through their issues on the injury front at running back.
