As we inch closer to roster cutdown day, the pressure is building on several Green Bay Packers players.
Time is quickly running out for former fourth-round pick Colby Wooden, who now faces an uphill battle to make the Packers' 53-man roster this summer. He has failed to earn significant playing time in two seasons, and now, undrafted rookie Nazir Stackhouse is close to moving ahead of him on the depth chart.
"Once again, undrafted rookie Nazir Stackhouse took some second-team reps at defensive tackle ahead of Colby Wooden," Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated reported from practice last week. "Typically, the No. 2 defensive line consisted of Brenton Cox and Kingsley Enagbare as the ends and Stackhouse and Karl Brooks as the tackles."
Former Packers draft pick Colby Wooden needs to quickly bounce back to make the 53-man roster
Wooden has three preseason games to turn things around, but that's it. If the Packers had to trim their roster today, Stackhouse and sixth-round rookie Warren Brinson would likely make the team ahead of him.
Pro Bowler Kenny Clark and former first-rounder Devonte Wyatt will start along the defensive line, with Karl Brooks ready to come off the bench. Stackhouse has turned heads at camp, showcasing his potential to become an elite run defender. He could soon fill the void left by T.J. Slaton, who departed in free agency.
Wooden has featured in 30 games for the Packers but started just one. On 489 career defensive snaps, the veteran has made 0.5 sacks, 37 tackles, and three tackles for loss.
The Packers typically have patience with their draft picks and give them time to develop, but can they afford to keep six interior linemen on the roster? Clark, Wyatt, and Brooks are locks to make the 53. It's becoming increasingly likely that they will find room for Brinson, another draft pick, and Stackhouse, who continues to impress every time he steps on the field.
August 26 is the important date. By then, each team must reduce its roster to 53 players. The Packers will play three preseason contests between now and then.
It's likely Wooden's final audition to save his roster spot.