No Trade but Packers Make Slew of Roster Moves on Tuesday
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers release Jaylon Smith
After 27 snaps over two games, the Green Bay Packers have moved on from linebacker Jaylon Smith less than a month after signing him. While this may initially come as a surprise, it really shouldn’t, given that Smith was a healthy scratch against Arizona.
In his two games with Green Bay, Smith logged two pressures on blitzes, one tackle, and allowed three completions for 29 yards. His PFF grade during that span was only 34.8, and unlike the other inside linebackers on the roster, Smith does not bring any special teams value.
light. Related Story. With Roster Space Needed, Packers Release Jaylon Smith
Ultimately, this was a low-risk singing from the beginning with Smith signing for the veteran minimum, but Green Bay has several players who are eligible to return from either injuries or the reserve/COVID list, and they need roster space. Prior to this move, the Packers had six inside linebackers on the 53-man roster–so it makes sense that they chose to make a cut from this unit.
Green Bay Packers sign Auzoyah Alufohi
Kingsley Keke left Thursday’s game in Arizona with a concussion, so this move was likely made to add depth to the interior defensive line unit if he has to miss time–which may be the case given this signing.
The 6’4″ – 319-pound Alufohi went undrafted in 2020 and saw action in 65 snaps last season with Houston per PFF. He would record one tackle. During college, Alufohi spent his final year at West Georgia, where he recorded 31 tackles, four of which were for a loss, two sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Prior to that, he had appeared in 32 games with Kennesaw State, tallying 47 tackles, three tackles for loss, half-a-sack, and two pass deflections during that span.