Packers elevate Juwann Winfree for third and final time this season
By Paul Bretl
With Christian Watson out for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, unsurprisingly, the Green Bay Packers have elevated Juwann Winfree from the practice squad.
During Week 1, when the Packers were without Allen Lazard, and Week 3, when Green Bay was without Watson the first time, Winfree was elevated on both occasions to bolster the wide receiver depth.
Other candidates already on the 53-man roster who could have taken on larger roles this week at receiver included Samori Toure and Amari Rodgers. However, it seems pretty evident that this is essentially going to be a red-shirt season for Toure, who has been inactive every game, while Rodgers is the return man–and that’s about it with only five offensive snaps this season.
Per the 2022 NFL practice squad rules, a player can be elevated and then returned to the practice squad without going through waivers on three separate occasions. After that third elevation, if there is another instance where the team wants that same player available on game day, he would need to be signed to the 53-man roster–which, of course, means a corresponding cut would follow to make room.
With this being the third time that the Packers have elevated Winfree this season, Green Bay now finds themselves in this exact predicament moving forward.
A potential workaround that the Packers have with this is that there is now an open roster spot with Tipa Galeai going to IR on Saturday, which opens a roster spot. Another possibility is if Christian Watson is placed on IR — which would open up another roster spot — and is something that the Packers have discussed, according to Matt LaFleur.
In his two previous appearances, Winfree has one reception on three targets for 17 yards while playing 22 total snaps, according to PFF ($$). Winfree once again stood out during training camp as a reliable pass-catching option and also received some high praise from Aaron Rodgers on a few occasions.
Also of note, is that the Packers didn’t choose to elevate an edge rusher — even with Galeai now on IR — which is a good sign for Rashan Gary’s availability, as he is listed as questionable. Without Galeai, the Packers will have a hole to fill on special teams, where he has been a key contributor.
Getting after Jets’ quarterback Zach Wilson, who has really struggled when under pressure this season, will be a must for the Packers–especially when it comes to helping their struggling secondary.