For the second straight year, the Packers are going with a rookie kicker.
On Wednesday, the Packers claimed kicker Brayden Narveson off waivers from the Titans. The undrafted rookie from North Carolina State had a strong preseason for Tennessee.
After cutting Anders Carlson on Tuesday, the Packers released Greg Joseph on Wednesday.
“Brayden was a kid that we like coming out and then he had an excellent preseason there in Tennessee,” said Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst..
“As it unfolded and he was let go, we just thought it was an opportunity to get a really good young kicker and give him a shot at it. I'm probably not as patient with specialists as I should be. I'm very confident in this team and what we can accomplish. So I want to make sure we give this team every opportunity to win.”
The Packers cut quarterbacks Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt, opting to go with trade acquisition Malik Willis as Jordan Love’s backup. Clifford will be on the Packers’ practice squad as insurance. Pratt signed with the Buccaneers’ practice squad.
“I think I’m going to take this thing day by day,” said Willis Wednesday in Green Bay. “It’s a quick turnaround. I’ll do my best to learn the offense and be prepared to back up Jordan and do whatever I can and help this organization and this team.”
“It's not like you're getting a rookie in here,” said Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur. “He does have a foundation. It’s just translating what he's learned in the past, putting it into our terms, and then coaching him on the run. So, there's a lot of work to be done between now and when we have to play our game.”
Another move that captured attention was putting running back A.J. Dillon on season-ending injured reserve with a neck ailment.
“It's really discouraging, because we had a pretty clear vision for what he could do,” said LaFleur. “It wasn't just going to be as a runner. I thought he was, the versatility was what I was most excited about, just being able to kind of do a lot of different things.”
Rookie cornerback Kaylon King is among the players on the Packers’ practice squad. After being cut by the Packers, wide receiver Samori Touré signed with the Bears’ practice squad.