Packers gain extra playoff hope after a promising first look at Trevon Diggs offers early encouragement
Former All-Pro cornerback had a solid debut for the Packers in Week 18.
Trevon Diggs came to help. It’s impossible to expect him to play at his former All-Pro level with so little practice time, but it’s very possible that the new Green Bay Packers’ addition at cornerback can be an upgrade over what the defense previously had, especially with the defensive backfield suffering so many injuries.
Diggs was claimed off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday. He practiced on Thursday and Friday and played 33 defensive snaps on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.
The cornerback played 18 coverage snaps, ending the game with an 82.3 PFF coverage grade (highest on the team), one stop, and a 39.6 passer rating when targeted. That’s a promising early result, especially considering the Vikings played their starters against the Packers’ backups.
“It was good for him to hear some of the calls,” head coach Matt LaFleur said after the game, “get acclimated with our defense, and then we can build on that going into this week.”
When asked if Diggs could start next week, LaFleur added that “everything’s up for discussion.”
Roster shakeup
Diggs is the added player with the most upside given his NFL experience, but the Packers had to sign and promote players across the roster. Last week, Nate Hobbs and Kamal Hadden got injured and were placed on injured reserve.
Besides claiming Diggs, the Packers promoted defensive backs Shemar Bartholomew, Jaylin Simpson, and Johnathan Baldwin from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Cornerback Tyron Herring and safety Mark Perry were signed to the practice squad.
The playoffs are right around the corner, and the Packers need all the help they can get to field a competent cornerback room — and to avoid a defensive disaster in the postseason. If Diggs can offer what he did in limited fashion against the Vikings, that could be major for the team.
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