Packers: Five observations about the initial 53-man roster
By Jesse Fry
4. Keeping eight wide receivers
Going heavy at wide receiver was expected. Going with a total of eight was not.
With three rookie draft picks, it was expected the Packers might go a little wide receiver heavy. The emergence of Jake Kumerow added to what was an already talented young group.
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Injuries to Trevor Davis and Kumerow clouded the roster expectations. Davis didn’t practice till just before the final preseason game, while Kumerow injured his shoulder on a dive into the end zone.
Had someone stepped up on kick and punt returns, it’s hard to see Davis making the team. Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the Packers were looking to trade Davis, but teams might be more willing to let Green Bay make a decision on cutting him before giving up any draft capital.
Kumerow is also a candidate for injured reserve. But if the injury is minor and Kumerow could be back in a week or two, it’s hard to see the Packers going with a player who appeared to be their fourth best wideout for eight weeks.
Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Geronimo Allison and Jimmy Graham will be the top four options in the passing game. There still is a role for a fifth option. McCarthy likes to vary his personnel packages and having someone Rodgers trusts as that option could be the deciding factor to keep Kumerow off IR.