Packers cut rookie running back Lew Nichols III
Green Bay Packers rookie running back Lew Nichols III entered the offseason with a lot of promise despite being a seventh-round draft pick. He had plenty of success in college, including rushing for an NCAA-leading 1,710 yards in 2021. But, things ultimately fell flat as a shoulder injury derailed Nichols' chances of making the 53-man […]
Green Bay Packers rookie running back Lew Nichols III entered the offseason with a lot of promise despite being a seventh-round draft pick. He had plenty of success in college, including rushing for an NCAA-leading 1,710 yards in 2021.
But, things ultimately fell flat as a shoulder injury derailed Nichols' chances of making the 53-man roster. The former Chippewa injured his shoulder ahead of Packers Family Night, which was held on August 5. He was released Tuesday as part of the Packers' final roster cuts, per Packer Central's Bill Huber.
It's unfortunate, but that's part of life in the NFL. There's another layer to the story, too: Per Huber, Nichols and the Packers are expected reach an injury settlement, much like they recently did with backup center Jake Hanson.
An injury settlement, for whatever length, means Nichols won't be able to play those games. So, if it's a four-game settlement, zero teams can have him on their roster during that time.
Once Nichols is healthy, he'll be eligible to join either the Packers practice squad or the 53-man roster, even. Depending on what the team wants to do, obviously.
This can represent a nifty trick to "stash" a lesser-known player, like Nichols. Teams probably aren't going to have much interest in a seventh-round rookie who missed a lot of time due to injury, so there's a really good chance he'll be available for the Packers once he's healthy.
In other words: Nichols' journey as a Packer isn't close to being over, just yet.
Packers 2023 Roster Cuts Tracker
The Packers’ preseason is officially over, which means roster cuts are right around the corner. Keep up with everything, here.
Featured image via Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
