Packers could regret parting ways with ascending defensive player

The Green Bay Packers have cleared the final hurdle en route to their season opener with the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil, which was to cut the roster from 90 to 53 players. Tuesday's deadline has passed, and the Packers can exhale. One of the toughest days on the NFL calendar is over.

Outside of trading for former third-round quarterback Malik Willis to replace Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt, there weren't too many big surprises on the Packers' initial 53-man roster.

However, one decision stands out as particularly head-scratching. Green Bay surprisingly waived second-year safety Anthony Johnson Jr. The former Iowa State product performed well all summer and seemingly did enough to secure his spot as the fourth safety on the roster.

Instead, the Packers released Johnson in favor of Zayne Anderson. It's a move they could live to regret.

Releasing Anthony Johnson Jr. makes zero sense for Packers

As a seventh-round rookie, Johnson started four games and made three pass defenses and an interception. He showed signs of making a second-year jump this summer.

"He's had an outstanding camp," said head coach Matt LaFleur. "He's made a huge jump, I would say, to this point from last season. Now, he's got to go out and do it as we get to some live bullets in terms of those preseason games."

LaFleur said that before the preseason. All Johnson has done since then is continue to prove himself.

It makes the Packers' decision all the more shocking. They went with special-teamer Zayne Anderson, a move that has Rich Bisaccia's fingerprints all over it.

But the Packers have sacrificed a talented and improving young player for Anderson. They also kept fifth-round rookie Kitan Oladapo, who was injured for most of training camp. Losing Johnson costs the Packers some valuable safety depth.

Green Bay may hope he clears waivers and returns to the practice squad. In most cases, teams get to bring back the players they want to, and the fear of losing young talent on waivers is overestimated. However, in this case, there is a legitimate chance another team will put in a claim for Johnson.

He is an ascending player who, in LaFleur's own words, has "made a huge jump" from last year.

The Packers could get lucky and bring him back to the practice squad, but they may have just lost a talented young player with starting potential.

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