Packers: Antonio Morrison trade adds depth at inside linebacker

The Green Bay Packers have reportedly traded for linebacker Antonio Morrison.

Lombardi Ave’s Andrew Cox called it earlier this weekend. The Green Bay Packers have made a late addition at linebacker.

According to Michael Cohen of The Athletic, the Packers have traded for Indianapolis Colts linebacker Antonio Morrison in return for cornerback Lenzy Pipkins, who will now join the Colts.

The Packers had to do something at linebacker. They have already lost starter Jake Ryan to a season-ending knee injury. Rookie Oren Burks went down with a shoulder injury during warmups ahead of the third preseason game.

That left Green Bay thin at inside linebacker.

General manager Brian Gutekunst has been aggressive this offseason, and he’s been open to making trades. Earlier this year he traded away starting cornerback Damarious Randall for quarterback DeShone Kizer, and he’s now made another trade to help a position of need.

This move also shows the Packers’ confidence in their young cornerbacks.

Pipkins was expected to be part of the depth at cornerback this season, and he was included in my latest 53-man roster predictions ahead of the third preseason game.

But after Josh Jackson’s excellent play in preseason, and Jaire Alexander’s good work in training camp (and in his first real preseason action against the Raiders), the team looks a lot stronger at the position than a year ago.

Outside of losing a talented player in Pipkins, the trade is low-risk for the Packers, as noted by Andy Herman of Cheesehead TV.

This is a good move for Green Bay, and it shows Gutekunst is willing to make trades to help strengthen the roster.

Will he turn to free agency or make another trade before the season starts? Maybe he’ll look to add a free agent safety. Could the Packers trade for Khalil Mack? The latter seems far more unlikely, but you never know.

What are your thoughts on the trade for Morrison?