Packers surprisingly cut wide receiver Juwann Winfree

After Aaron Rodgers repeatedly praised wide receiver Juwann Winfree publicly, it seemed likely he would make the Green Bay Packers‘ 53-man roster.

However, that has proved not to be the case.

According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers have released Winfree.

It’s perhaps a good sign for rookie receiver Samori Toure, who impressed in the preseason.

Winfree had Rodgers’ trust and could also play on special teams, which is why many believed he might have had the edge on Toure.

MORE: Follow along with Packers roster cuts with our tracker

This may feel like a familiar situation for Packers fans, who will remember when the team released Jake Kumerow just days after Rodgers had praised him while speaking to reporters.

Winfree likely would’ve been WR6 or WR7 and would’ve played the majority of his snaps on special teams.

It’s now a question of if the Packers keep six or seven receivers on the roster.

We can assume Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Sammy Watkins, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Amari Rodgers will all make the roster. That’s six.

If they keep a seventh, it will almost certainly be Toure. It seemed to be a battle between Winfree and Toure for the final spot, and it appears the rookie is the choice.

Winfree has shown that he can be a reliable receiver and also contribute on special teams, so there’s plenty he can offer. Other teams should have interest in signing him. If not, we could see him return to the Packers’ practice squad.

While it’s a bit of surprise to see Winfree not make the roster, Toure has shown potential this summer and deserves to make the 53, assuming he has.

The deadline to finalize the 53-man roster is at 3 p.m. CT this afternoon. More moves are to come.