Packers sign USFL’s Micah Abernathy, who joins competitive safety group
By Paul Bretl
It was a busy day from a roster turnover standpoint for the Green Bay Packers.
On Wednesday morning, we learned that the team had signed old friend and former 2019 draft pick Dexter Williams to bolster the running back depth.
A short while later, we learned that Green Bay had released long-snapper Steven Wirtel, who had a rough start to training camp, and waived-injured wide receiver Osirus Mitchell.
Following these three moves, the Packers roster sat at 89 players–one short of the 90-player maximum.
That roster spot was quickly filled with the addition of safety Micah Abernathy, according to Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated. Abernathy practiced with the team on Wednesday after not even having the opportunity to take a peek at the playbook.
What to know about the Packers newest safety Micah Abernathy
Abernathy went undrafted in 2019 out of Tennessee, where he filled a variety of roles, lining up as a free safety, in the box, as well as in the slot. He was also a fairly experienced special teams player.
After initially signing with the Minnesota Vikings, Abernathy then spent time with Tampa Bay and Indianapolis—totaling 34 defensive snaps along with eight more on special teams during the 2019 season. That would be his only NFL action to date.
Abernathy then spent this past spring in the USFL with the Houston Gamblers, where he recorded two interceptions, 71 total tackles, and a sack.
PFF ($$) has Abernathy listed at 6’0” – 195 pounds, and coming out of Tennessee, he posted an elite Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.38 out of 10, along with a 4.52-second 40-time.
Through two weeks of training camp practices, this has become a crowded and competitive safety room for the Packers.
Shawn Davis and Vernon Scott have been taking reps with the starters in Darnell Savage’s absence, while Dallin Leavitt looks to be a core special teams player. Then there is seventh-round pick Tariq Carpenter and the versatile Innis Gaines.
The Packers will play their first preseason game on Friday against San Francisco, where we will begin to gain a little bit of clarity with these position battles.
By August 16th, NFL rosters have to be trimmed from 90 players down to 85.