The 53 Green Bay Packers who survived roster cutdowns included some fascinating surprises.
Defensive tackle Anthony Cambell was a story of the summer. Cornerback Kamal Hadden made himself too useful to cut. Receiver J. Michael Sturdivant sealed his case with an emphatic preseason finale.
But with the initial roster set - emphasis on initial - a handful of players remain on uncertain ground. Let's look at three Packers who may be gone by the time Week 1 rolls around in the blink of an eye.
These 3 Packers still aren't safe despite making initial 53-man roster
Tackle Travis Glover
Glover was also among the surprising inclusions on the 53-man roster. He displaced veteran Darian Kinnard as the 10th offensive lineman to make the cut, capitalizing on Kinnard's poor preseason.
That's quite the accomplishment for a guy many had counted out of the roster picture altogether after a quiet start to training camp.
Still, Glover should probably be sleeping with one eye open. He is, after all, the 10th offensive lineman, and likely the last man through the roster-cutdown gate. The Packers have room to use his spot on another position if need be.
For example, only four edge rushers made the 53 with Collin Oliver beginning the year on injured reserve. That's definitely a positional group Green Bay could look to supplement before the season starts. Glover should be wary, especially if the Packers feel uneasy relying on him for depth if starting right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele isn't ready to go by Week 1 as he navigates lingering injury concerns.
Long snapper Matt Orzech
Let's be clear: the Packers respect and trust Orzech to get the job done. He is a seventh-year veteran entering his fourth season in Green Bay. As soon as he recovered from a calf injury, the team waived his replacement, Cal Adomitis, and rostered Orzech. Makes sense, right?
Here's the thing: With Orzech sidelined and Adomitis in his stead, rookie kicker Trey Smack bounced back from a concerning start to camp in startling fashion. Sure, he's still hit a bump in the road with some missed gimmes in practice, but he delivered a perfect preseason and showed off a 60-plus-yard range on field goals.
Given kickers' fickle nature and the need for chemistry at every node in the operation, keeping Adomitis at Orzech's expense would have been justified. Is it worth upsetting the apple cart to reinstate Orzech, who has experience but has not necessarily been superb?
The Packers decided it was, but if Smack has a disastrous week or so of practice before Week 1 in Minnesota, don't count out the possibility that Green Bay rushes to retrieve Adomitis.
Tight end Josh Whyle
After the Packers traded for Los Angeles Rams tight end Mark Redman, some speculated that Whyle would miss the cut. Redman is the blocking tight end the roster was missing, while also providing sneaky athleticism.
The tight end room now features Tucker Kraft, Jonnu Smith, Redman, and Whyle. Although Whyle did, in fact, make the initial 53, the Packers could find out that they only need three tight ends on the active roster.
The edge he does have is experience; Whyle has three seasons under his belt whereas Redman has only one year on the Rams' practice squad. Fit-wise, though, the Packers may grant Redman priority, especially after investing a 2028 seventh-round pick in the trade. If they augment the roster elsewhere (i.e., edge rusher), Whyle could be a coinciding casualty.
Add us as a preferred source on Google