Packers: Five observations about the initial 53-man roster

2. Letting “Rip” go

The most shocking cut had to be fullback Aaron Ripkowski, who had been on the team since 2015.

Ripkowski has been a solid lead blocker and could carry the ball in a pinch. The Packers going with only two running backs wouldn’t be as big of a concern if Ripkowski was still there to fall back on. Rip was solid in pass protection and was an able receiver.

The Packers may still try to bring him back, but it’s hard to believe a team looking for a fullback wouldn’t start by trying to bring in Rip.

For right now, Green Bay appears to be willing to go more with an “H-back” type of role that Lance Kendricks could provide. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy has used tight ends in a similar role before, but he’s always had a fullback on his roster, some years even carrying two or more.

Having four tight ends on the roster gives McCarthy the flexibility to use a tight end in this manner, but Jimmy Graham is more of a receiver and Marcedes Lewis is better fit as a traditional in-line blocker. Kendricks has experience in an H-back role but still does not hold the lead blocking skills Ripkowski could provide.