Packers evaluate 23 roster hopefuls ahead of final preseason game
Green Bay will hold a joint practice with Arizona on Wednesday and finish the preseason on Friday, with 23 players listed as roster bubble candidates before the cutdown deadline Sunday.
Green Bay will host the Arizona Cardinals for a joint practice on Wednesday at Ray Nitschke Field, followed by a preseason finale on Friday night at Lambeau Field. Coach Matt LaFleur plans to have starters participate in the joint session while depth-chart players finish the week on the field, a period that could decide the final roster spots before the league-mandated cutdown on Sunday.
The Packers have identified 23 players who remain on the bubble. Quarterback Kyle McCord has shown competence in two preseason games, while running back Pierre Strong Jr. impressed with a 68-yard kickoff return. Wide receivers J. Michael Sturdivant, Isaiah Neyor, and Will Sheppard are being evaluated for blocking and special-teams contributions. Tight ends Messiah Swinson and McCallan Castles have been noted for their size and run-blocking ability.
On the offensive line, veteran Darian Kinnard is returning from an ankle injury, and John Williams logged a team-high 70 snaps at left tackle. Versatile linemen Donovan Jennings, Travis Glover and others are also under review. Defensive line prospects Jonathan Ford, Anthony Campbell and Nazir Stackhouse are competing for depth, while edge rushers Arron Mosby and Nyjalik Kelly are being considered for both roster and practice-squad roles.
Linebackers Nick Niemann and Kristian Welch could earn a spot depending on special-teams performance. In the secondary, cornerbacks Kamal Hadden, Domani Jackson and Jaylin Simpson, as well as safety Mark Perry, are vying for depth. Long snapper Cal Adomitis is competing for the position after Matt Orzech’s absence.
The upcoming practices and the Friday game will likely determine which of these players secure a place on Green Bay’s 53-man roster.