Packers Audition D'Joun Smith
- Former Colts defensive back D’Joun Smith worked out for the Packers today, reports Caplan (Twitter link). Smith was a third-round pick in 2015.
Examining Packers' Continuity
- The Packers have relied on continuity in the front office, on the coaching staff, and at the quarterback position for years, but Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com examines what happens — and who takes the blame — when the team struggles. General manager Ted Thompson is famously silent, and doesn’t respond to media inquiries except during the summer when he’s obligated by league rules to do so. Thompson also avoids free agent additions, leaving head coach Mike McCarthy to figure out what to do when injuries strike.
Packers Make P-Squad Changes
- The Packers have added tight end Beau Sandland to their practice squad and cut running back Brandon Burks, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Sandland went to Carolina in the seventh round of this year’s draft, but the Panthers waived him from their practice squad Wednesday. Burks has been in and out of the Green Bay organization since it signed him in May as an undrafted free agent from Troy.
Packers Try Out Joique Bell, Others
In addition to the previously reported Joique Bell, the running back-needy Packers worked out fellow rushers James Wilder Jr. and Brandon Wegher on Tuesday, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Defensive end Arthur Miley and defensive back Brandon Dixon also tried out.
Packers Waive Tyler Kuder From IR
- The Texans have promoted offensive lineman Josh Walker to their active roster, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Walker went undrafted out of Middle Tennessee State in 2014 and spent the first two years of his career with the Colts and Packers. He suited up for 13 of Green Bay’s games last year, though the team cut him in September. Walker then signed with Houston’s practice squad last month.
- The Packers have waived defensive end Tyler Kuder from injured reserve, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The undrafted rookie from Idaho State went on IR on Sept. 3.
Packers Promote Joe Kerridge
- The Packers announced that they’ve promoted fullback Joe Kerridge to the active roster and waived safety Jermaine Whitehead.
Packers Expected To Sign Joique Bell?
10:42am: Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com cautions that Bell is only expected to work out for the Packers tomorrow. He suggests that no deal is imminent at this time
09:18am: It appears as though Joique Bell‘s tour of the NFC North will continue. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that the Packers are expected to sign Bell, who has also suited up for the Lions and Bears, on Monday.
Bell signed with Chicago in September but totaled just three carries in his four appearances with the Bears. The 30-year-old back sat on the open market for a few months after being cut by the Lions back in February. He had refused to accept a pay cut from Detroit, which led to his release.
Bell averaged just 3.5 yards per carry in 2015, the lowest of his career. However, he has a history of productivity and has shown that he can be a fairly effective runner and very strong receiver out of the backfield when given the opportunity. Before Theo Riddick was doing damage as a pass-catching back in the Lions’ offense, it was Bell who was making things happen with his hands. In his first two seasons with Detroit, Bell averaged 52 catches for 516 yards.
The Packers’ backfield has been a mess this season, and although James Starks returned to practice this week, Green Bay is clearly in need of more talent. Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk summarizes the Packers’ running back woes this year, noting that injuries to Starks and Eddie Lacy have led the team to trade for Knile Davis–whom the team cut earlier this week–elevate Don Jackson from the practice squad and use wide receivers Ty Montgomery and Randall Cobb out of the backfield at times. Green Bay ranks 19th in the league in rushing yards per game.
Packers Activate Corey Linsley
The Packers offensive line will receive some reinforcement for this weekend’s game against the Colts. According to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter), the team has activated center Corey Linsley from 
the physically unable to perform list. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky tweets that the 25-year-old will start for the Packers tomorrow.
Linsley, a fifth-round pick in 2014, has spent his entire three-year career with the Packers, and the 25-year-old has started all of his 29 NFL appearances. As a rookie, Linsley filled in for an injured J.C. Tretter at center, and the lineman didn’t relinquish the job over the next two season. The lineman was placed on the PUP in early September after tearing his hamstring twice.
Tretter had done an admirable job filling in for Linsley, as the 25-year-old ranks as the league’s fifth-best center according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). The Packers offensive line has also allowed the fewest rushing yards in the league, although they’ve allowed a mediocre 19 sacks through seven games.
Will Packers Look To Keep Or Replace Eddie Lacy?
- ESPN.com’s Field Yates previews the “biggest upcoming roster decisions” for each NFL team, and the writer points to two team’s running situations. With Eddie Lacy set to become a free agent, the Packers will have to decided whether they want to invest in the veteran or go a different route. If the team does look to replace the 26-year-old, Yates believes they’ll do so via the draft.
[SOURCE LINK]
Practice Squad Updates: 11/2/16
Here are today’s practice squad moves.
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: TE Nic Jacobs
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Williams Poehls
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: TE Connor Hamlett
Denver Broncos
- Signed: RB Terrell Watson
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: RB Brandon Burks (via Packersnews.com)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: OL Zach Sterup
- Signed: OL Joe Cheek
- Cut: CB Tyler Patmon (Twitter link via Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star)