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          Packers activate Andrew Quarless, put Ty Montgomery on injured reserve

          Andrew Quarless has only two catches for 14 yards in three games this season, but the sixth-year pro is the most experienced tight end on the team. Al Bello/Getty Images
          • Rob Demovsky, ESPN Staff WriterDec 21, 2015, 05:24 PM ET
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              Rob Demovsky is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Green Bay Packers. He has covered the Packers since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2013. Demovsky is a two-time Wisconsin Sportswriter of the Year as selected by the NSSA. You can follow him on Twitter at @RobDemovsky.
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          GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Andrew Quarless felt all last week he was ready to return from his Week 3 knee injury. He just wasn’t sure if there was going to be a roster spot for him.

          But the Green Bay Packers cleared space for the veteran tight end on Monday by placing Ty Montgomery on injured reserve, ending a two-month saga during which the rookie receiver never could return from his Week 6 ankle injury. Montgomery’s move to IR cleared the way for the Packers to activate Quarless off the temporary injured reserve list.

          The Packers will have Quarless for the final two games of the regular season plus the playoffs. It gives them four tight ends -- Richard Rodgers, Justin Perillo, Kennard Backman and Quarless.

          Quarless had been eligible to return for the Thanksgiving game against the Chicago Bears, but the Packers took their time and brought him back slowly.

          “It’s one of those things where if I come up, someone has to go, so that’s never an easy decision to make,” Quarless said last week. “With the time they’re taking, it’s only helpful. I’m definitely ready, but it’s their decision.”

          Quarless said he took a significant step in practice last week.

          “I’ve taken this time to knock off some of the rust,” Quarless said. “Now I’m definitely oiled up, I’m lubed up. No more rust. I’m feeling good.”

          It’s possible Quarless could still face discipline from the NFL for his July 4 arrest for firing a gun in public. Quarless reached a plea arrangement last month in which he paid a $1,000 fine and was sentenced to one year of probation.

          Quarless has only two catches for 14 yards in three games this season, but the sixth-year pro is the most experienced tight end on the team. Last season, he caught a career-high three touchdowns.

          For Montgomery, it ended a once-promising season that turned frustrating when he experienced two separate setbacks in his bid to return from his Oct. 18 high ankle sprain. The latest setback came this week. The third-round pick from Stanford practiced last Wednesday but then could not go on Thursday. On Friday, he said he was scheduled for further tests and additional treatment.

          “I’m kind of fed up with the process,” Montgomery said last week.