Amari Rodgers and practice squad elevations play key roles in Packers keeping 2 RBs

The Green Bay Packers were the only team in the NFL to roster just two running backs on their 53-man. The two big reasons for that were Amari Rodgers’ versatility out of the backfield as well as the ability to elevate players from the practice squad.

Why the Packers felt comfortable carrying only two running backs on the 53-man roster

During the Packers preseason, we saw Amari Rodgers line up in the backfield on five occasions as a traditional running back while also getting opportunities to carry the ball on jet sweeps. He finished with six carries for 36 yards and one missed tackle forced per PFF ($$).

"“Also the emergence of Amari Rodgers doing some stuff back there, I think on gameday could help us as well,” said Brian Gutekunst on Wednesday via Packers.com. “So, we have some flexibility there, so that was part of the decision.”"

Now, it’s not as if Rodgers is all of a sudden going to see a ton of touches as a ball carrier. The bulk of the carries will still be made by Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. However, he is an option if the Packers find themselves in a pinch or if they’re looking to add a new wrinkle to the offensive game plan.

While, at least to start out the season, Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon will be the only true running backs on the 53-man roster, they won’t be the only true running backs for Matt LaFleur to lean on if needed.

With the 2022 practice squad rules, players can be elevated to the gameday roster on three separate occasions and then moved back to the practice squad before they have to be added to the 53-man roster.

So between Tyler Goodson and Patrick Taylor on the practice squad, the Packers have the first six games of the season covered (three games each) when it comes to having a third running back available.

Although this approach is certainly unconventional, it’s only needed for a short amount of time.

Kylin Hill is on the PUP list to begin the season and has to miss the first four games. But once that time has passed, and assuming he’s healthy, he will be activated and placed on the roster as the traditional third running back.

The Packers will still be able to utilize Rodgers at that point, but they no longer will have to use one of their game-day practice squad elevations on the running back position.

By keeping only two running backs, it allowed the Packers to go heavier at another position for the time being, whether that be keeping a high upside prospect like Rasheed Walker or trying to get the most out of the special teams unit by keeping five safeties–although, once Hill does return, a cut will have to be made from somewhere.

Every year, rosters may look a bit different; it is all dependent on where the strengths of the team are and if there are any specific rules — such as practice squad elevations — that can be utilized. With this flexibility to move players back and forth, NFL rosters are actually a bit larger than just 53 players.