Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers made a strategic move on Wednesday by signing wide receiver Cornelius Johnson to their practice squad, filling the vacancy left after promoting running back Chris Brooks to the active roster. This comes on the heels of the Packers placing rookie third-round running back MarShawn Lloyd on injured reserve earlier in the week.
Cornelius Johnson, a former Michigan Wolverine, was drafted in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft and boasts impressive athleticism. Standing nearly 6’3” and weighing 212 pounds, Johnson clocked a 4.44-second 40-yard dash during pre-draft workouts, earning a 9.42 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) out of a possible 10. This performance ranked him among the top wide receiver prospects in the last few decades.
Cornelius Johnson is a WR prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 9.42 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 185 out of 3188 WR from 1987 to 2024.https://t.co/HVd2EVsVvq pic.twitter.com/Ls5ZVUWNXA
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 27, 2024
Though Johnson initially signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, he was unable to secure a spot on the active roster and found himself on their practice squad briefly before being released. In five years at Michigan, Johnson totaled over 2,000 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, earning an honorable mention for the All-Big Ten team in his senior season.
His addition gives the Packers some depth at wide receiver, joining Julian Hicks and TJ Luther on the practice squad. Both Hicks and Luther were brought on earlier this season to provide more options at the position, especially with injuries impacting the Packers’ roster.
Here’s a look at the current Packers’ practice squad, now featuring 16 players:
– QB: Clifford
– RB: Merriweather
– FB: Beck
– WR: Johnson, Hicks, Luther
– TE: Lumpkin
– OL: Jennings, Smith
– DE: Alexandre
– DT: Ester
– LB: Russell
– CB: King, Rochell, Hadden
– S: Brown
– K: Hale
With Johnson now in the fold, the Packers continue to fortify their depth chart as they navigate through early-season injuries and adjustments.
