Familiar Faces Return to Green Bay Packers Practice Squad

Cut down day for NFL franchises are never an easy thing. Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson knows this first hand. When Thompson was a linebacker/special teams player for the Houston Oilers back in the 1980s, he was cut, ending his football career. So when it comes to cutting a player as a general manager, Thompson understands how difficult decisions are. This past weekend, Thompson and the Packers cut their roster down to 53 players and in the process, parted ways with some players who were viable options to make the team. But for some players, it isn’t goodbye from Packer land just yet. Familiar faces return to the Green Bay Packers practice squad.

Since the NFL has forgone having a true developmental league, the practice squad has become the closest thing to a place for a player to develop during the NFL season. Up to ten players can be carried on the practice squad and aren’t counted towards the 53 man roster. The salaries are a lot less than what active players make, but still, it is a chance to stay with an NFL team and possibly become a part of an NFL roster. Last season, wide receiver Geronimo Allison spent time on the Packers practice squad before being “called up” to the active roster and catching 12 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns. So there is a chance that one or more of these players might be a part of the Packers active roster this season. Here are the players who will make up the Packers practice squad to start off the season.

Joe Callahan, Quarterback

It can be argued that the quarterback the Packers truly wanted on their practice squad was rookie Taysom Hill, and not Callahan. But when both Hill and Callahan were cut by the Packers, it was Hill who was claimed by the New Orleans Saints. Hill outplayed Callahan this preseason, but it seems that head coach Mike McCarthy is still a fan of Callahan’s and that he sees a future in him for the Packers. This isn’t Callahan’s first time on the Packers practice squad, as he spent time on it last season as well before getting the call up. He also spent time on the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints active roster last season. Callahan will serve as the Packers third quarterback and if something were to happen to either starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers or backup quarterback Brett Hundley he will be elevated to the 53 man roster.

Michael Clark, Wide Receiver

Clark seems like the perfect player to spend time on a practice squad. The former college basketball player is raw, but has a lot of upside. The 6’5” 215 pound Marshall University product played only one season of college football. He transferred to Marshall after playing basketball at St. Francis University, and is still learning to play wide receiver. If Clark progresses like the Packers are hoping he will, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him on the active roster, either this season or next.