The Green Bay Packers will be without offensive lineman Jordan Morgan for at least the next four weeks, as the team placed the 2024 first-round pick on injured reserve on Saturday. Morgan had previously missed time with a shoulder injury, which he wasn’t listed on the injury report for at the start of the week but aggravated during practice, according to head coach Matt LaFleur.
The Packers had an open spot on their 53-man roster, so they weren’t in a hurry to move Morgan to IR. In a related move, the team activated cornerback Robert Rochell from the practice squad to the active roster. Following the trade of defensive end Preston Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay still has one available spot on the roster, which is expected to go to running back MarShawn Lloyd. Lloyd’s practice window opened this week after recovering from an injury, though he was recently diagnosed with appendicitis.
Morgan’s injury leaves the Packers’ offensive line a bit thin. He had been the team’s top interior lineman backup this season, even rotating with starter Sean Rhyan at right guard when the line was fully healthy. With Morgan out, rookie fifth-round pick Jacob Monk is expected to take over as the primary backup at center and guard. Andre Dillard and Kadeem Telfort, who will serve as backup tackles, lack significant experience on the interior. If the Packers experience multiple interior injuries, it’s possible they could shift right tackle Zach Tom inside, with Monk filling in on the bench.
Earlier this year, the New England Patriots signed guard Lecitus Smith off the Packers’ practice squad. Now, Green Bay’s practice squad offensive linemen are undrafted rookie Donovan Jennings, who missed part of the preseason due to injury, and Spencer Rolland, a 6’6″ tackle from Harvard added in Week 7.
With Rochell promoted to the 53-man roster, the Packers now have an open spot on the practice squad. They’re likely to fill that spot by the end of Tuesday with a free agent. Rochell’s promotion may also provide a hint about the availability of cornerback Jaire Alexander, who, along with safety Evan Williams, is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.
If Alexander and Williams are unavailable, cornerback Keisean Nixon would likely play in the slot, with Javon Bullard moving to a full-time safety role. Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine would play outside corner in nickel packages. In this scenario, with Rochell now added to the roster, the Packers would have only one cornerback, Corey Ballentine, available off the bench.
