- Geronimo Allison has “quietly established himself” as the Packers‘ No. 3 receiver behind Davante Adams and Randall Cobb, as Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette writes. Green Bay used three Day 3 draft picks on receivers, adding J’Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Equanimeous St. Brown in the process, while futures contract signee Jake Kumerow has also shined during training camp. But it’s the 24-year-old Allison, who landed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2016, who is likely to play in three-wide sets. Allison, who would play on the outside and allow Cobb to move to the slot in “11” personnel, put up 23 receptions and 253 yards in 2017.
The Packers selected Washington State offensive guard Cole Madison in the fifth round of this past year’s draft. However, the rookie has sat on the did not report list and hasn’t attended training camp. While his absence isn’t encouraging, general manager Brian Gutekunst is confident that he’ll be able to contribute eventually.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has some ideas for how the NFL can improve, specifically when it comes to the salary cap and contracts. Given Rodgers’ contractual situation, it’s no surprise that he would like to see the league do away with the franchise tag.
Today’s minor moves:
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LB James Crawford
New England Patriots
- Released from IR: T Nate Theaker
New York Giants
- Signed: S Mike Basile
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: RB Gerald Holmes
- Waived: WR Marvin Bracy
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DT Nathan Bazata
- Waived/Injured: CB David Rivers
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DE Sterling Bailey
- Waived: DT Ashaad Mabry
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: RB Akeem Judd
- Placed on injured reserve: LB C.J. Johnson
- Waived: G Ethan Cooper
Kansas City Chiefs
- Claimed off waivers: G Ethan Cooper
- Waived with left squad designation: C Jack Allen
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: T Jarron Jones
- Waived: K Trevor Moore
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: LB Brandon Chubb, TE Jerome Cunningham
- Placed on injured reserve: LB Nate Palmer
- Waived: TE Phillip Supernaw
Washington Redskins
- Signed: LB Cassanova McKinzy, DL Dante Sawyer
- Waived/injured: DL Tavaris Barnes, LB Alex McCalister
It’s officially official. On Monday, the Packers announced that they have placed linebacker Jake Ryan on season-ending IR. 
Earlier this month, Ryan was ruled out for the year with a torn ACL. The move to place Ryan on IR was long expected, but the Packers’ front office dreaded having to make the move.
The Packers were expecting a big season out of Ryan after he excelled in 506 snaps last season. His one career sack doesn’t jump off of the page, but he consistently pressured quarterbacks last year and graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 19 overall ranked linebacker last year.
It’s an equally tough blow for Ryan, who was hoping to parlay a successful 2018 into a lucrative new contract. Ryan will be eligible for free agency next March, and the injury is a clear blow to his market.
Without Ryan, third-round rookie Oren Burks could be thrust into action alongside Blake Martinez. The Packers may also lean on rookie UDFA Greer Martini, who has looked sharp in practice.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
- The Packers received a scare when a cart transported cornerstone left tackle David Bakhtiari from the practice field Saturday night, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (on Twitter) Bakhtiari suffered a sprained left ankle. He won’t return to action immediately, but at this point, it doesn’t look like the sixth-year lineman will miss regular-season time.
Today’s minor moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Claimed off waivers: DE Eddy Wilson
- Signed: CB C.J. Goodwin, OL Cory Helms, WR Kayaune Ross
- Placed on injured reserve: OL Rod Taylor (story)
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: RB Trey Williams
- Waived: T Bryce Johnson
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Brian Brown
- Waived: WR Dom Williams
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers: DE James Hearns
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived/injured: LB Garrett Sickels
- Waived from injured reserve: WR Aaron Lacombe
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DE Ricky Ali’ifua
- Waived: C Marcus Henry, DE Eddy Wilson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: S Jason Thompson
Sidelined since tearing an ACL midway through last season, Bryan Bulaga received clearance to return to practice, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
The Packers took Bulaga off the PUP list Friday, though Mike McCarthy said the 29-year-old tackle will be taking part in limited practices in the near future. But this week’s brought some pleasant news for the longtime Packer blocker.
Green Bay’s ninth-year right tackle has impressed the team during his recovery, and his roster spot is no longer considered to be in doubt. McCarthy is optimistic Bulaga, who suffered his most recent injury in early November of last year, will be ready to go by Week 1. This came after an uncertain offseason.
Jason Spriggs, Byron Bell and Kyle Murphy have split time at right tackle during Bulaga’s absence.
Bulaga’s suffered multiple severe injuries as a pro — the other coming when he tore an ACL during camp in 2013 — but has started 81 games for the Packers since his 2010 rookie year. He’s in the fourth season of a five-year, $33.75MM contract and denied a rumor the Packers approached him about a pay cut this offseason, Demovsky adds.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Given that he ended the 2017 season on injured reserve, Packers right tackle Bryan Bulaga wasn’t considered a lock to earn a spot on Green Bay’s roster for the upcoming campaign. However, Bulaga’s recovery has reportedly been “impressive,” tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, and the 29-year-old offensive lineman is no longer on the Packers’ roster bubble.
Bulaga has been no stranger to poor injury luck during his NFL career, and his 2017 ACL tear was the second of his pro tenure (he missed the entire 2013 season with same injury). Indeed, Bulaga has only appeared in all 16 games twice during his eight-year run: once during his rookie year in 2010, and again in 2016. Due roughly $8MM in cap charges in each of the next two seasons, Bulaga could have also been viewed as a potential cap casualty, as Green Bay would save more than $6MM in both 2017 and 2018 by cutting him now.
At his best, Bulaga is one of the league’s top right tackles. A former first-round pick, Bulaga received top-seven tackle grades from Pro Football Focus in both 2014 and 2016. And while he slipped to No. 39 in PFF’s rankings a season ago, a multitude of injuries — even before the campaign-ending ACL tear — likely contributed to Bulaga’s ineffective play.
Although Bulaga is currently on the active/physically unable to perform list, he’s expected to be ready for Week 1. If he’s not available at any point during the season, the Packers would turn to veteran Byron Bell, Jason Spriggs, or Kyle Murphy to play right tackle.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.