Packers make their first surprise cut of the summer

In order to get down to 80 players, the Green Bay Packers have made a surprise cut.

A week ago, Vernon Scott looked set to become the Packers’ No. 3 safety behind starters Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage. Now, he has surprisingly been released.

According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, the Packers have waived/injured Scott.

Scott was playing well this summer but suffered a shoulder injury. For now, it’s unclear how much time he will miss.

If Scott clears waivers, he will return to the Packers on injured reserve.

So, it’s possible that the Packers believe Scott has a season-ending injury and feel confident he will go unclaimed for that reason. In that case, he would return to Green Bay on IR.

Still, there’s also the possibility that another team signs Scott, keeps him on their initial 53-man roster, then places him on injured reserve. That would allow them to bring him back during the 2022 season at some point.

Green Bay’s decision to release Scott could show a sign of confidence in young safeties Shawn Davis and Micah Abernathy.

Perhaps it also means Dallin Leavitt will make the 53-man roster, although he is also dealing with an injury.

A week ago, it seemed a near certainty that Scott would make the roster. He even had a great shot at winning the No. 3 safety spot ahead of Davis.

Perhaps the Packers are confident they will get Scott back, but if that’s the case, they have taken a risk.

It could just be that they like their safety depth.

It will be interesting to see the depth chart at safety in the coming weeks. Will Green Bay keep four or five safeties on the roster? Only time will tell.

Maybe Scott will be back. But first, he must clear waivers. That’s no guarantee.