Rob Demovsky, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Green Bay Packers cut Matt Blanchard, should keep three QBs

Breaking down the Green Bay Packers' roster moves to get to 75 players by Tuesday's deadline:

Most significant move: When the Packers signed free-agent Matt Blanchard this offseason, it looked like he had a chance to be their No. 3 quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers and Scott Tolzien. And then general manager Ted Thompson drafted UCLA's Brett Hundley in the fifth round. It made Blanchard's chances of making the team almost impossible because Thompson rarely cuts draft picks. Even though Blanchard played well this preseason -- better than most (if not all) No. 3 quarterbacks who have come through here in recent years -- the Packers released him on Tuesday. It came after a strong preseason game in which Blanchard completed 8 of 11 passes for 87 yards with one touchdown and one interception Saturday against the Eagles. “I think Matt can definitely play in this league,” Packers quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt said. “I thought he did a great job for us. I was impressed by his ability to learn and to adapt, especially his footwork to our system, which is the hardest part for most quarterbacks to do. He had limited opportunities but when he had them he made the most out of them. I enjoyed having him in the room. He's a very bright guy, and he has a future in the NFL as a player."

Nelson's season officially over: Jordy Nelson's season officially ended on Tuesday, when the Packers placed him on injured reserve. It was a formality given that Nelson's season effectively ended on Aug. 23, when he tore the ACL in his right knee against the Steelers. The next move for Nelson will be reconstructive knee surgery. The Pro Bowl receiver said last week that he planned to stay around the team as much possible and help the receivers however he can.

What's next: The Packers have only Thursday's preseason game against the New Orleans Saints left to make their final evaluations before they have to trim their roster to 53 by Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.

Packers' moves: Released on Tuesday -- QB Matt Blanchard, WR James Butler, LB Adrian Hubbard, CB Kyle Sebetic, TE Harold Spears. Waived/injured – WR Javess Blue, WR Jimmie Hunt. Placed on injured reserve -- WR Jordy Nelson. Released on Monday -- LB Tavarus Dantzler, T Fabbians Ebbele, LB Josh Francis, DT Lavon Hooks, T Vince Kowalski.

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