GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers made 34 roster moves on Saturday, trimming their roster to the NFL-mandated 53 players. Here’s a closer look at the final moves:
Most significant move: One year after keeping seven receivers, the Packers kept only five. There should be a sixth in Week 2, when Geronimo Allison comes off of suspension, but it was nevertheless a surprise to see the Packers cut both of their drafted receivers -- DeAngelo Yancey (fifth round) and Malachi Dupre (seventh round) -- plus former practice-squad member Max McCaffrey, who had perhaps the best training camp of any of the receivers, and 6-foot-6 undrafted rookie Michael Clark. Allison likely will be the No. 4 receiver as long as he’s out of the concussion protocol after his suspension expires, but for now, it’s Jeff Janis and Trevor Davis behind the starting trio of Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams and Randall Cobb.
Heavy on the O-line: It appears the Packers sacrificed some receivers in order to keep more offensive linemen. Last year, they kept just eight on their initial 53. This year it was 10 -- perhaps to protect themselves against injuries to starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga and backup center Don Barclay (both with ankle injuries). The two surprise keeps were Justin McCray and Lucas Patrick, a pair of former undrafted free agents.
Two QBs, not three: What was a competitive battle for the No. 3 quarterback job turned out to be a moot point. There is no No. 3 after both Taysom Hill and Joe Callahan were cut. The Packers will likely bring one of them back on the practice squad, depending on who gets through waivers on Sunday. Hill would be their first choice, but he also has the best chance of getting picked up by another team.
No Brooks … yet: Veteran outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks, who agreed to a contract last week, has not yet signed. It should happen Sunday or Monday. This way, the Packers can place a player -- perhaps rookie defensive tackle Montravius Adams -- on injured reserve and possibly use one of the two designated-to-return tags on him. Players have to be on the roster as of the final cuts to be eligible to return. Adams underwent foot surgery last month and because he practiced twice, he’s ineligible for the physically unable to perform list. Undrafted rookie Lenzy Pipkins (the seventh cornerback on the roster) might have been the last player to make the 53, so if Adams doesn't go to IR, then perhaps Pipkins could be in trouble.
Packers moves:
Released (29) -- G Kofi Amichia, CB Donatello Brown, TE Emanuel Byrd, QB Joe Callahan, OLB Johnathan Calvin, WR Michael Clark, WR Montay Crockett, WR Malachi Dupre, G Thomas Evans, OLB Reggie Gilbert, G Geoff Gray, LB Cody Heiman, DT Calvin Heurtelou, QB Taysom Hill, CB Daquan Holmes, T Robert Leff, OLB Josh Letuligasenoa, DT Izaah Lunsford, LB Derrick Mathews, WR Max McCaffrey, G/T Adam Pankey, TE Aaron Peck, RB Kalif Phillips, DT Brian Price, CB Raysean Pringle, S Aaron Taylor, LB Jordan Tripp, S Jermaine Whitehead, WR DeAngelo Yancey.
Injured reserve (2) -- FB Joe Kerridge, LB David Talley
PUP (2) -- OLB Vince Biegel, CB Demetri Goodson
Suspended (1) -- WR Geronimo Allison