For the third time this season, the Green Bay Packers have signed running back James Robinson. Sports Illustrated's Bill Huber reported the move. It's not clear at this point if the addition is for the 53-man roster or not, but it's presumably for the practice squad as Robinson had been cut from the active roster on Monday.

The move is not a great indication about Aaron Jones availability for next Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The starter suffered a MCL sprain against the Los Angeles Chargers and missed the Detroit Lions game last Thursday.

On Monday, fellow running back AJ Dillon didn't practice either. Last week, he was limited because of a groin injury, but was healthy enough to play and have a big workload in Detroit. The Packers ideal third running back is rookie Emanuel Wilson, who also got hurt against the Chargers and has been on injured reserve since.

In and out

James Robinson, a former Jacksonville Jaguars starting running back, has been on the Packers roster in different capacities three times this season. He was initially signed to the practice squad on October 17, and released on November 6.

Last week, with Jones and Wilson hurt, Robinson was re-signed to the practice squad at first, but then promoted to the 53-man roster two days later. He was active on gameday against the Lions, but didn't play a single snap.

This week, the Packers needed two roster spots because cornerback Eric Stokes and safety Darnell Savage are expected to come back from injured reserve — both have been designated to return.

So Robinson was released again. The running back went unclaimed on waivers, opening the way for him to be back on Green Bay's practice squad.

As James Robinson was a standard promotion to the 53-man roster last week, he still can be elevated from the PS for gameday three times this season.

Running back depth

Aaron Jones is injured, but he is still on the Packers active roster — which means the Packers expect him to be back before missing four games. The other active players at the position are AJ Dillon and Patrick Taylor, whom the Packers re-signed last week off the New England Patriots practice squad.

On the PS, the Packers also have rookie Ellis Merriweather and now, presumably, James Robinson once again. Emanuel Wilson can return from IR starting in week 16, in time to play the final three games of the season, against the Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Bears.

Packers release two offensive players

They had been promoted to the 53-man roster last week