GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers’ initial 53-man roster is the perfect example of why Saturday’s roster reduction should never been called the “final cuts.”
They didn’t even keep a long-snapper.
That will change Sunday, when they are expected to re-sign Brett Goode, who worked out for the team Saturday. Goode tore his ACL late last season and was in the final year of his contract. The Packers will have to create a roster spot for Goode, so there’s a good chance one of the six undrafted rookies won’t last.
Here’s a position-by-position look at the first 53:
Quarterbacks (3): Aaron Rodgers, Brett Hundley, Joe Callahan
Hundley’s sprained left ankle should be healthy enough to allow him to back up Rodgers next Sunday for the opener at Jacksonville. Hundley’s injury isn’t why they kept the undrafted Callahan. He played his way on to the team.
Running backs (4): Eddie Lacy, James Starks, Aaron Ripkowski, Brandon Burks
Burks won the No. 3 job over another undrafted rookie, Brandon Ross, but it’s possible the Packers could look for a more experienced No. 3 on waivers.
Receivers (7): Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Jared Abbrederis, Ty Montgomery, Jeff Janis, Trevor Davis
Janis (broken hand) and Davis (shoulder) might not be ready for Week 1, and there’s no indication whether Nelson will be able to play a full game in his first action in more than a year, so keeping seven made sense.
Tight end (3): Jared Cook, Richard Rodgers, Justin Perillo
Perillo has been on the roster before, but this is the first time he made it coming out of camp. He was elevated from the practice squad last season.
Offensive line (8): David Bakhtiari, Bryan Bulaga, T.J. Lang, JC Tretter, Don Barclay, Lane Taylor, Jason Spriggs, Kyle Murphy
They’ve kept only eight to start other seasons, but they may have to add some depth after cutting Josh Sitton. Expect Barclay or Taylor to start at left guard, barring a late roster move.
Defensive line (5): Mike Daniels, Letroy Guion, Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Christian Ringo
Ringo, who spent all of his rookie year on the practice squad last season, is the beneficiary of Mike Pennel's four-game suspension.
Outside linebackers (6): Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Julius Peppers, Datone Jones, Jayrone Elliott, Kyler Fackrell
Jones, a converted defensive end, could always help out on the line in case of emergency.
Inside linebackers (3): Blake Martinez, Jake Ryan, Joe Thomas
The Packers seem thin here after cutting Sam Barrington and Carl Bradford but could always use Matthews inside again.
Cornerbacks (6): Sam Shields, Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins, LaDarius Gunter, Josh Hawkins, Makinton Dorleant
It looked as though Hawkins and Dorleant might be fighting for one spot but both undrafted rookies made it for now. Dorleant has been bothered by a hamstring injury and isn’t likely to be ready for the opener, making his spot tenuous.
Safeties (6): Morgan Burnett, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Micah Hyde, Chris Banjo, Kentrell Brice, Marwin Evans
Brice and Evans round out the undrafted rookie class.
Specialists (2): K Mason Crosby, P Jake Schum
A long-snapper will be added.