Green Bay is looking at the running back market going into Week 5.
Many were expecting a kicker change in Green Bay on Monday after the Packers ’ Brayden Narveson missed two short field goals in the team’s two-point loss to the Minnesota Vikings . That, apparently isn’t happening.
Not only did head coach Matt LaFleur stand up for his kicker after the game in his press conference, but he did the same in his presser on Monday after reviewing the team’s film. According to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, the Packers did work out players today, but it was two running backs, not a kicker .
Green Bay brought in Deon Jackson and Zonovan Knight, who both have experience elsewhere in the NFL.
Bold prediction: Deon Jackson takes Jordan Wilkins’s spot. He’s 5’11” and 218 lbs (30.4 BMI), ran a 4.47(90%ile speed score), and scored a RAS of 8.9. Jackson’s $45k signing bonus was also reportedly the largest of any UDFA. Why would the $$-conscious Colts pay so much for a RB? https://t.co/YZN2KvN3ik pic.twitter.com/oUGubUy4Vl
— Luke Howery (@h12lukeNFL) May 7, 2021
Jackson is former undrafted player from the 2021 class who has had stints with the Indianapolis Colts , Cleveland Browns , New York Giants and most recently the New York Jets . He’s relatively experienced for a street free agent, as he’s recorded 95 carries and 35 receptions (on just 40 targets) in his NFL career. In total, he’s played 318 offensive snaps with three teams, mostly coming with the Colts, and 238 special teams snaps.
Zonovan Knight is a RB prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored a 5.85 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 679 out of 1632 RB from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/NYT6djFBKP #RAS https://t.co/Cu9LoyM8Zz pic.twitter.com/EFafPxQB9A
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) May 2, 2022
Knight, nicknamed “Bam,” was undrafted in the 2022 class and was signed as a free agent by the Jets. After a year there, he was waived during the 2023 cutdowns and landed on the Detroit Lions ’ practice squad before being elevated to the 53-man roster. After a month, Knight’s second season in the NFL ended with him going on the injured reserve. He was waived by the Lions back at cutdowns in August. Knight has posted 88 NFL regular season carries, with 85 coming in 2022 with the Jets, and 14 receptions.
The Packers don’t appear to have a great need at running back right now, so it’s interesting that the team brought in two players at that position. Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson are holding down roster spots on the 53-man roster and rookie third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd is designated to return from the injured reserve. Chris Brooks, who was promoted off of the practice squad in Week 3 after signing with the team in Week 1, is also on the active roster.
Green Bay also keeps Ellis Merriweather, who was elevated for gameday in Week 1 versus the Philadelphia Eagles , on their practice squad. If the Packers do sign one of Jackson or Knight, it almost certainly means that one of Brooks or Merriweather will be let go, or that the team suffered an injury at the running back position that has not been previously reported.
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