Decisions to be made at edge rusher for the Packers
By Paul Bretl
A roster decision at the edge rusher position will have to be made by the Green Bay Packers this week, and no, it isn’t going to be in the form of a significant addition to bolster an underwhelming pass rush unit.
Since losing Rashan Gary to a season-ending injury, the Packers have had only three edge rushers on the 53-man roster—Preston Smith, Jonathan Garvin, and JJ Enagabre. At a minimum, the Packers need four active on game day, just in case an injury happens, but also, before the season began, OLB Coach Jason Rebrovich said that he wanted a consistent four-man rotation at the position.
To remedy this, the Packers have elevated La’Darius Hamilton from the practice squad the last two weeks. In total, he has seen action in three games — against Washington being the other — totaling one pressure in 10 pass rush snaps. He has 24 snaps altogether, according to PFF ($$).
The Tennessee game was the third time that Hamilton had been elevated, and it will also be the final. Per the NFL’s 2022 practice squad rules, a player can only be elevated to the game-day roster on three occasions. After that, they have to be signed to the 53-man roster if the team wants that player available.
This is where the potential roster moves come into play. The Packers could sign Hamilton off the practice squad this week or choose to activate Tipa Galeai from IR. Either way, the Packers need a fourth edge rusher, and regardless of who they choose in this scenario, a cut will also have to be made since the roster is at full capacity currently.
If I had to take a swing at who that cut might be, offensive linemen Luke Tenuta would be my guess. Tenuta was signed earlier in the season when Green Bay was dealing with injuries up front. They have since been much healthier along the offensive line, and Tenuta has been a regular inactive on game day.
Another option that the Packers have if they don’t want to sign Hamilton or Galeai to the roster is they could elevate Tim Ward from the practice squad. Ward was signed last Tuesday and has not been elevated yet by Green Bay. Ward played 191 defensive snaps for the Jets in 2021, recording one pressure and 11 tackles.
Whoever ends up as the Packers’ fourth edge rusher in Philadelphia will likely play a small role, consisting of maybe 10 or so snaps. In addition to Smith, Enagbare, and Garvin, Quay Walker took 17 snaps at edge rusher against the Titans, perhaps giving Green Bay an alternative option at the position. With that said, the Packers still need a fourth true edge rusher available.
Enagbare continues to improve each week as he gains more experience, but not surprisingly, the Packers’ pass rush has very much been lacking since losing Gary. While receiver garnered a lot of attention over the summer, the lack of edge rusher depth was equally concerning. In order for the Packers to create consistent pressure, it’s going to require Joe Barry dialing up more blitzes and stunts rather than expecting this group to regularly win their one-on-one battles.