Packers have multiple paths to add help as tight end injuries continue to mount, and they include an old friend
John FitzPatrick left the Bears game on Saturday with an Achilles injury.
The Green Bay Packers are living a hell scenario in terms of injuries, with many of the top players on the roster dealing with several types of issues — that includes season-ending injuries for Micah Parsons, Tucker Kraft, Devonte Wyatt, and Elgton Jenkins, but also short-term issues for Jordan Love, Zach Tom, and Evan Williams.
No position has been hit harder than tight end, though. In addition to Kraft’s ACL injury, Josh Whyle suffered a concussion last week against the Denver Broncos, and John FitzPatrick left Saturday’s game versus the Chicago Bears with a concerning Achilles injury. Right now, the only healthy tight end on the 53-man roster is Luke Musgrave.
“I’m certain that Gutey and I will have some conversations, probably here on the plane,” head coach Matt LaFleur said after the game. “In regards to what we’ve got to do, I feel like we’ve got some guys capable on our practice squad. We’ll take a look at that, and we’ll come up with a solution.”
Packers have several avenues to add tight ends
The first domino to fall is whether Whyle can return against the Baltimore Ravens. It’s usual for concussions to take players out of one game, but Whyle could realistically get back.
As LaFleur mentioned, the Packers have two tight ends on the practice squad. The most likely to be elevated is veteran McCallan Castles, who’s in his second NFL season and has spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers, and Los Angeles Rams. However, he’s never played a regular season game. The other option is undrafted rookie Drake Dabney.
External options
Because FitzPatrick is the best blocking tight end of the group and might miss extended time, the Packers could realistically look at outside options to reinforce the roster. The most obvious one is Marcedes Lewis.
The 41-year-old veteran knows LaFleur’s offensive system well and is a great blocker. He’s on the Denver Broncos’ practice squad, but he’s out of elevations in Denver, and the Packers could sign him to the 53-man roster. Another former Packer on a practice squad is the Cleveland Browns’ Sal Cannella.
Practice squad options without previous stints in Green Bay include Luke Lachey (Houston Texans), Jordan Akins (Jacksonville Jaguars), Albert Okwuegbunam (Las Vegas Raiders), and Brayden Willis (San Francisco 49ers).
The Packers could also add a veteran to the practice squad — with the ability to elevate him for gameday throughout the rest of the season at this point. The best ones are former first-round pick Hayden Hurst and C. J. Uzomah.
It’s certainly not the ideal outcome for such an important position for LaFleur’s offensive philosophy. Still, Green Bay’s pro personnel has had success with late-season additions, and this unlucky stretch could open the door for experimentation.
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