Packers release IDL Jonathan Ford to make room for waiver wire additions

After claiming tight end Ben Sims and safety Zayne Anderson on Wednesday, the Green Bay Packers had to make a pair of roster cuts from their 53-man in order to make room for the new additions.

The first reported cut was the team moving on from linebacker Tariq Carpenter. You can read more about that roster decision here. The second came from releasing interior defensive lineman Jonathan Ford.

Ford had put together a solid preseason, with Matt LaFleur even saying at one point that he had “upped his fame.” Ford did well generating push in the run game in practices—an area where the Packers have to improve this season.

However, he was also the sixth interior defensive lineman in this rotation, and it’s not often that you see NFL teams utilizing that many players consistently. Also, from a skill set standpoint, having Ford on the roster is a bit redundant when the team also has TJ Slaton, not to mention Kenny Clark who could fill that role as well.

I’m also sure that the play of rookies Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks played a factor in this as well. All of this made Ford more expendable and the Packers able to move on from him.

This now leaves Green Bay with five interior defenders, which includes Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Slaton, Wooden, and Brooks. Also already on the practice squad at this position is Chris Slayton.

The Packers currently have 15 players on the practice squad, along with International Pathway Player Kenneth Odumegwu, who is exempt from counting against roster. This means that Green Bay should have a practice squad opening and could sign either Ford or Carpenter to it once they clear waivers.

The Packers also have the option – as long as Ford and Carpenter clear waivers – to bring both players back to the practice squad if they are willing to make a corresponding cut.