Packers make first roster moves

To get to the the NFL-mandated 75-player limit of this week, the Packers have made 5 roster moves as of today. According to the Packers official website, they released RB DeShawn Wynn -- who started 4 games last season but couldn't seem to stay healthy then or now -- and FB Ryan Powdrell, along with WR Chris Francies and OL Ryan Considine. The Packers also placed last season's first round draft pick, DT Justin Harrell, on the reserve/physically unable to perform list meaning he can't be placed on the active roster during the first six weeks of the season. According to the info on the Packers official site, "After that time, they (the players) are eligible to practice with the club for up to three weeks. If a player is activated from the reserve/PUP list to the active roster, a subsequent roster move must be made to maintain the 53-man active roster limit."

So, what this all seems to indicate is that the running back situation is coming down to Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson, both locks, and perhaps a three-way battle for two spots between Noah Herron, Vernand Morency and the fast-rising rookie free agent, Kregg Lumpkin. Lumpkin leads the Packers with 17 carries for 87 yards this preseason, while Herron has 10 carries for 52 yards, Jackson nine for 54 and Morency one for 1. The Packers have always liked Herron's reliability, if not durability, and Morency's third down play catching passes out of the backfield. But Lumpkin has been intriguing. Check out this article to find out more about this young man from Georgia.

It also means, speaking of Justin Harrell, that the Ted Thompson doubters/haters out there will continue to fault him for making this pick last season. Certainly, the longer it takes for Harrell to even make it onto the playing field -- if he ever does -- the more he's going to have to show to mitigate the skepticism Packer fans will likely have.