GREEN BAY — Jamari Lattimore is officially back in the fold — and now the Green Bay Packers' fourth-year inside linebacker can set his sights on earning more playing time on defense in 2014.
Lattimore signed his one-year, $1.4 million restricted free-agent tender on Wednesday, per the NFL's official transaction wire. Lattimore had until Friday to negotiate with other teams, although he'd been working out with the Packers during their offseason program, reportedly having worked out an injury-protection agreement with the club. He never received an outside offer sheet.
Lattimore, 25, joined the Packers as an undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee State in 2011. He has been a special-teams stalwart during his first three seasons but saw extensive defensive action last season, starting four games and playing 265 snaps on defense while starter Brad Jones was hampered by injuries. Lattimore also played 292 snaps on special teams.
Lattimore was one of two restricted free agents the Packers had entering the offseason, but he was the only one who received a tender. Safety M.D. Jennings, who started all 17 games last season, was not extended a qualifying offer and wound up signing with the Chicago Bears.
Jason Wilde  wrote: