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GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers will have additional pass rush help down the stretch.
Rookie Collin Oliver, a hybrid linebacker/defensive end, was activated off the physically unable to perform list, the team announced Dec. 22.
To make room for Oliver on the 53-man roster, the Packers placed tight end John FitzPatrick on injured reserve because of an Achilles tendon injury he suffered against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 20.
The Packers did not add another tight end to the roster despite Luke Musgrave being the only available player until Josh Whyle returns from concussion protocol. If Whyle does come back this week, the Packers can function with him and Musgrave in the passing game and offensive lineman Darian Kinnard as a blocker.
The Packers also have the option of elevating 6-foot-4, 244-pound McCallan Castles or 6-5, 246-pound Drake Dabney off the practice squad for the Dec. 27 game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Oliver said last week that he wasn’t certain whether the Packers would activate him this season but that the torn hamstring he suffered at the scouting combine – and which required surgery – was healed.
The deadline for activating Oliver was Dec. 22. His 21-day window for joining the 53-man roster began Dec. 1, when he practiced for the first time this year. If he had not been activated, he would have been out for the rest of the season.
The 6-2, 240-pound Oliver said he had been working exclusively at edge rusher since being designated to return three weeks ago. He had been working only on the scout team, so he should start to get some practice reps with the defense.
A fifth-round draft pick, Oliver had 11½ sacks as a freshman at Oklahoma State when he was used exclusively as an edge rusher. In subsequent years, he played off-the-ball linebacker. He still had 5½ sacks in 2022 and 6 in ’23.
When he was drafted, general manager Brian Gutekunst said he could be used right away as a designated pass rusher, but the long-term plan would be to find a way to put him in multiple positions within coordinator Jeff Hafley’s defense.
Asked if he was feeling like himself when rushing the passer in practice, Oliver said: “Every time. I’m confident in my abilities. I can do everything.”
The Packers return to practice Dec. 23.
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers activate pass rusher Collin Oliver, put John FitzPatrick on IR
Continue reading...
Rookie Collin Oliver, a hybrid linebacker/defensive end, was activated off the physically unable to perform list, the team announced Dec. 22.
To make room for Oliver on the 53-man roster, the Packers placed tight end John FitzPatrick on injured reserve because of an Achilles tendon injury he suffered against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 20.
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The Packers did not add another tight end to the roster despite Luke Musgrave being the only available player until Josh Whyle returns from concussion protocol. If Whyle does come back this week, the Packers can function with him and Musgrave in the passing game and offensive lineman Darian Kinnard as a blocker.
The Packers also have the option of elevating 6-foot-4, 244-pound McCallan Castles or 6-5, 246-pound Drake Dabney off the practice squad for the Dec. 27 game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Oliver said last week that he wasn’t certain whether the Packers would activate him this season but that the torn hamstring he suffered at the scouting combine – and which required surgery – was healed.
The deadline for activating Oliver was Dec. 22. His 21-day window for joining the 53-man roster began Dec. 1, when he practiced for the first time this year. If he had not been activated, he would have been out for the rest of the season.
The 6-2, 240-pound Oliver said he had been working exclusively at edge rusher since being designated to return three weeks ago. He had been working only on the scout team, so he should start to get some practice reps with the defense.
A fifth-round draft pick, Oliver had 11½ sacks as a freshman at Oklahoma State when he was used exclusively as an edge rusher. In subsequent years, he played off-the-ball linebacker. He still had 5½ sacks in 2022 and 6 in ’23.
When he was drafted, general manager Brian Gutekunst said he could be used right away as a designated pass rusher, but the long-term plan would be to find a way to put him in multiple positions within coordinator Jeff Hafley’s defense.
Asked if he was feeling like himself when rushing the passer in practice, Oliver said: “Every time. I’m confident in my abilities. I can do everything.”
The Packers return to practice Dec. 23.
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers activate pass rusher Collin Oliver, put John FitzPatrick on IR
Continue reading...
