Green Bay Packers might have to Find a New Punter for Sunday’s Game

The Green Bay Packers already had 12 players on the reserve/COVID list coming into Wednesday, and unfortunately, they had to add four more. This group included Kingsley Keke, Tyler Davis, Henry Black, and Corey Bojorquez.

While the Packers certainly are getting thin at the interior defensive line and tight end positions, there are other players on the roster to fill those roles. However, they do not have another punter available, which means they might have to find one before Sunday’s game against Minnesota.

According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, Bojorquez’ positive test came on Tuesday, so under the new health and safety protocols issued by the NFL, he still could potentially suit up on Sunday against Minnesota as long as he is asymptomatic.

For as bad as the Green Bay Packers special teams unit has been this season, Bojorquez has been one of the few consistent bright spots.

According to PFF ($$), Bojorquez ranks 11th in average yards per punt with 47.3 yards per attempt and eighth in average hang-time. Bojorquez also has placed 24 of his 50 punt attempts inside the 20-yard line, he has just three touchbacks, and in a few key spots, he’s been able to flip the field.

What’s been most impressive about Bojorquez’ skill-set is the wide variety of punts that he can hit. We’ve seen him boom a 72-yarder; we’ve seen his touch and ability to back opponents up inside their 10-yard line, along with him being able to pin the opposing team along the sideline as well.

"“He has been spectacular,” said Matt LaFleur via the Wisconsin State Journal earlier this season. When you look at the location of his punts, the distance, the hangtime to allow our gunners to get down there, I think it’s been really, really good.”"

As far as who the Green Bay Packers could bring in for him, well, that’s the big question, isn’t it? As far as familiar faces go, Ryan Winslow, who was in training camp this summer, is on the Arizona practice squad. Or, and perhaps this is the best way to go, Brian Gutekunst could choose to scour the other 30 practice squads or the remaining free agency pool.

Earlier this season, special teams coordinator Maurice Drayton mentioned that the Packers do have an emergency punter option already on the roster, although we don’t know who that is or if that means Green Bay wouldn’t explore options outside of the organization.

Bojorquez is also the team’s holder on field goal and extra point attempts—another added wrinkle to this.

Now, having said all of that, as I mentioned above, it’s important to remember that Bojorquez could still suit up against Minnesota, and hopefully, he’s able to. But the Green Bay Packers will need to be prepared if that isn’t the case.