Packers make curious sequence of roster moves trying to elevate the ceiling at the bottom of the team
Green Bay added a former fourth-round pick.
The Green Bay Packers have swapped practice squad running backs on Monday ahead of Week 2. The team signed former New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. to the practice squad, while releasing Israel Abanikanda.
Who is Pierre Strong
Strong was a relatively highly-touted prospect coming out of South Dakota State and was a fourth-round pick by the Patriots in 2022. After one year in New England, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for tackle Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Throughout his first three NFL seasons, Strong had 99 rushing attempts for 499 yards (five yards per attempt), adding 26 receptions for 193 yards. Last year, he played in 14 games for the Browns, averaging 4.2 yards per carry.
In late August, Pierre Strong was waived by the Cleveland Browns with an injury designation. Now, it looks like he’s recovered.
Why Abanikanda is gone
The Packers had signed Israel Abanikanda back in July and he had a solid training camp and preseason for Green Bay, especially as a kickoff returner. He didn’t make the initial 53-man roster, but the Packers chose him over undrafted rookie Amar Johnson to be the practice squad running back.
Now, though, Abanikanda is a street free agent once again. Amar Johnson is also available.
Depth
Second-year running back MarShawn Lloyd started the regular season on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, so Pierre Strong is in fact the fourth running back on the depth chart, behind Josh Jacobs, Chris Brooks, and Emanuel Wilson
Under the new practice squad rules developed since Covid, each practice squad player can be elevated for gameday up to three times during the season—in Week 1, for example, the Packers elevated cornerback Micah Robinson.
Pierre Strong hasn’t had many chances in the NFL to prove his value, but he was efficient when given the opportunity. With him over Abanikanda, the Packers expect to add a player with a higher ceiling—and this is what you can ask for on the practice squad.
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