The Green Bay Packers will be without offensive lineman Jordan Morgan for at least the next four weeks after placing the 2024 first-round pick on injured reserve on Saturday. Morgan, who had been dealing with a shoulder injury, was not initially listed on the injury report earlier in the week, but the injury worsened during practice, as confirmed by head coach Matt LaFleur.
With an open roster spot on their 53-man roster, the Packers had flexibility in placing Morgan on injured reserve. They also announced that cornerback Robert Rochell has been activated from the practice squad to the active roster. Following the trade of defensive end Preston Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Packers now have one available spot on the active roster, which is expected to go to running back MarShawn Lloyd, whose window to return from injured reserve opened this week before he was diagnosed with appendicitis.
Morgan’s absence leaves the Packers’ offensive line depth a bit thin. He had been the team’s primary backup for the interior line, even rotating with starting right guard Sean Rhyan when healthy. Rookie fifth-round pick Jacob Monk is likely to step up as the primary backup center and guard, while Andre Dillard and Kadeem Telfort will back up the tackle positions. However, neither has much experience on the interior, so the team may have to move right tackle Zach Tom inside if multiple injuries occur.
The Packers’ practice squad now features offensive linemen Donovan Jennings, an undrafted rookie who missed preseason time with an injury, and 6’6″ tackle Spencer Rolland, who joined the team in Week 7. Additionally, with Rochell’s promotion, the Packers now have an open spot on the practice squad, which is expected to be filled by Tuesday, when the team typically brings in free agents for workouts.
Rochell’s promotion may also indicate that cornerback Jaire Alexander‘s status for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears is uncertain. Alexander, along with safety Evan Williams, is listed as questionable for the game. If neither is able to play, Keisean Nixon is likely to step in as the slot corner, with Javon Bullard moving to a full-time safety role. Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine would then be the outside cornerbacks in nickel packages. This would leave the Packers with only one cornerback on the bench, Corey Ballentine, before Rochell’s promotion.
