Packers: Injury came at worst time for WR Juwann Winfree

At one stage, Juwann Winfree looked well on his way to securing a spot on the Green Bay Packers’ 53-man roster, but he now faces a lot of competition.

Juwann Winfree had been one of the Green Bay Packers‘ standout performers at training camp.

He was making play after play seemingly every practice. A couple of weeks ago, it seemed impossible the Packers would be able to cut him.

However, Winfree has since been sidelined with a shoulder injury that has kept him out of Green Bay’s opening two preseason games. According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, Winfree remained out of practice on Monday. It remains unclear when he’ll be ready to return and if he’ll be available for Saturday’s preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills.

In Winfree’s absence, veteran Devin Funchess made a strong start to the preseason with six catches for 70 yards against the Houston Texans, although he is now also sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Malik Taylor, who was part of the Packers’ 53-man roster last season, has played well in both preseason games with nine catches for 116 yards over the past couple of weeks. He led the team in receiving against the New York Jets last Saturday.

Taylor has also shown he can be a key special-teams player, which will only help his chances of making the roster.

It’s disappointing for Winfree because, had he stayed healthy, he may have already wrapped up a spot on the roster by now. A couple of strong preseason performances would’ve made it very difficult for the Packers not to keep him.

There’s still time between now and the deadline for the roster to be trimmed down to 53 players. Winfree’s practices when healthy shouldn’t go unnoticed.

However, with so much competition for the final roster spot at wide receiver, Winfree’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time.