Packers: Jace Sternberger set to return from injury

The Green Bay Packers have activated Jace Sternberger to the roster after missing the first half of the season on injured reserve.

The Green Bay Packers didn’t make a trade ahead of the deadline earlier this week, and they also didn’t put in a waiver claim for wide receiver Josh Gordon, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. But that doesn’t mean the Packers won’t be getting some help on offense.

The team announced on Saturday that they have activated rookie tight end Jace Sternberger to the 53-man roster. He was on injured reserve.

Expectations shouldn’t be too high for Sternberger this season. It’s not often a rookie tight end has a breakout season. First-round picks T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant have been inconsistent this year. Add in the fact Sternberger has missed so much time due to injury.

But he does give the Packers another option in the receiving game, and that’s never a bad thing. He’ll bring some speed to the tight end position and may be able to make some key contributions between now and the end of the regular season, even if he doesn’t become a consistent receiver immediately.

Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis should continue to play the majority of the snaps at tight end, and Robert Tonyan would also get some playing time if he’s available on Sunday.

The fact they are bringing Sternberger back this season shows they feel he can contribute. And while he should be given plenty of time to develop, the team must have confidence in his talent to make a difference this season.

A third-round pick back in April, the Packers will hope Sternberger can eventually become a starter in LaFleur’s offense. It’s unlikely that will happen any time soon, barring any injuries, but it will be interesting to see how quickly he adapts to the NFL.