Packers Face Roster Crunch as Deadline Approaches
The Green Bay Packers began Sunday with 91 players and must reduce to 53 by 5 p.m. Central. They signed tight end Jonnu Smith and released safety Tra Fluellen to make room. The team has maintained a streak of keeping at least one undrafted rookie on the opening roster for 21 years.
The Packers entered Sunday with 91 players, needing to cut 38 by the evening deadline. Their first moves included signing tight end Jonnu Smith and releasing safety Tra Fluellen, who had joined the team just weeks earlier after a stint on New Orleans' practice squad. Fluellen managed three tackles in Friday's preseason game despite learning the playbook quickly.
Green Bay's 21-year streak of keeping at least one undrafted rookie on the opening roster could continue through edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly or receiver J. Michael Sturdivant. Both received substantial signing bonuses and delivered strong preseason performances. Additionally, four players on the PUP list—including Micah Parsons and Luke Musgrave—may start the season inactive, with decisions pending on long-snapper Matt Orzech's availability for Week 1.
Roster cutdown day carries significant consequences for players whose NFL dreams may end or pause, affecting their livelihoods and career trajectories. For fans, these decisions shape the team's competitive outlook for the season and fuel discussion across sports media. The undrafted rookie streak, while a minor statistical curiosity, reflects broader patterns in how teams evaluate talent beyond the draft, potentially influencing how aspiring players and their agents approach free agency opportunities.