Running back Nate McCrary is returning to the Green Bay Packers, where he will have another opportunity to make the 53-man roster for the 2024 campaign.
In the middle of making several adjustments to their 90-man roster on Wednesday, the Packers signed 25-year-old McCrary, according to the team’s official transaction wire for August 14. In order to maintain their roster at nine players, the Packers also formally signed rookie linebacker Chris Russell and cut rookie long snapper Peter Bowden and safety Tyler Coyle.
at his few weeks with the Packers at training camp in 2023, McCrary ran 11 times for 37 yards and a touchdown in the preseason despite only playing 12 snaps overall. He ultimately failed to make the 53-man roster, as the Packers selected Aaron Jones’ backup rushers, AJ Dillon and then-rookie Emanuel Wilson.
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McCrary now has another opportunity, but following a busy offseason that saw numerous changes to Green Bay’s backfield, he won’t have an easier time breaking into the squad in 2024. Jones, who is currently in Minnesota, was let go by the Packers, who signed free agent Josh Jacobs, the 2022 league rushing champion, to take his place as the team’s new starter.
In the third round of the 2024 draft, the Packers selected Shawn Lloyd of USC, adding another top prospect to their mix with Jacobs, Wilson, and Dillon.
Essentially, McCrary might end up being a camp body for the Packers, but with the team restricting Jacobs’ preseason playing time and both Lloyd and fellow rookie Jarveon Howard nursing ailments, he should have a couple chances to prove himself in the last two preseason games. In the mix for the Packers is also Ellis Merriweather.
Packers Have Released Peter Bowden Twice in Camp
On August 14, the Packers added two fresh faces to their camp roster. In the process, they released former Wisconsin Badger Bowden, one of their undrafted rookies, for the second time in less than a month, and thus continued an odd game with him.
After the 2024 draft, Bowden was one of the eight UDFAs that the Packers initially signed on April 30. Although no club has selected a long snapper in the NFL draft since 2021, Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked Bowden as his top prospect at the position in his selection guide. Additionally, Bowden gave Packers starter Matt Orzech more competition.
But Bowden’s competition was short-lived as the Packers removed him from their 90-man roster for the first time on July 23, barely two days after camp practice began. At first, it appeared as though the Packers were going to move forward with Orzech once more, but on July 30, they brought Bowden back, and 15 days later, they cut him again.
After having two weeks of practice to establish himself, Bowden might have actually lost this time around in the roster struggle with Orzech. Another reason would be that, although they think Bowden needs more time to mature, the Packers would rather that he start his rookie career on their practice squad. Don’t be shocked if they decide to re-sign him. That could be their strategy.
Packers Getting Healthier Ahead of Broncos Game
With McCrary joining the team, the Packers now have some extra support for their injured running back room. On August 14, the team didn’t have either Lloyd (hamstring) or Howard (ankle) available for practice. Therefore, McCrary’s presence should aid the team in snap distribution while they wait for their return.
Luckily for the Packers, though, it looks like they’re getting healthy in time for their preseason opener in 2024.Cornerback Carrington Valentine returned to practice on Wednesday and took part in individual drills, according to Andy Herman of the Pack-A-Day podcast. Additionally, he stated that the team authorized the full recovery of rookie center Jacob Monk and starting linebacker Quay Walker.
The Packers continue to have injuries. The team is also without second-round rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who is still healing from a hip injury he suffered at the Family Night scrimmage on August 3, in addition to Lloyd and Howard. Other than that, defensive end Keshawn Banks is the only other Packers player who is sidelined due to an injury.
On Sunday, August 18, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, the Packers will take on the Broncos in Denver for their next preseason game.
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