Packers Finalize 53-Man Roster: AJ Dillon Out for the 2024 Season Due to Injury

The Green Bay Packers took significant steps on Tuesday to finalize their roster ahead of the 2024 NFL season, reducing their team to the mandatory 53-man limit. However, the most notable and unfortunate news from the day was the announcement that running back AJ Dillon has been placed on injured reserve (IR) and will miss the entire 2024 season. This decision underscores the seriousness of Dillon’s recent injury and the caution with which the Packers are approaching his health and future.

AJ Dillon’s Injury and Its Impact on the Packers

AJ Dillon, a critical part of the Packers’ offense, was expected to play a significant role as the primary backup to starting running back Josh Jacobs. However, Dillon’s season came to an abrupt end before it even began due to a recurring neck injury, specifically a stinger, that he sustained recently. Stingers are nerve injuries that typically occur in the neck or shoulder area, causing a burning sensation, numbness, or weakness in the arm. While some stingers are minor and allow for a quick return to play, others, particularly when they become recurrent, can be more severe and have long-lasting effects.

Dillon, 26, has been a key contributor to the Packers since being drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Last season, Dillon rushed for 613 yards and scored two touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to be a reliable and powerful runner. Additionally, he showcased his versatility by catching 22 passes for 223 yards, further solidifying his role in the Packers’ offense.

Unfortunately, this recent stinger is not Dillon’s first encounter with this type of injury. Last week, Dillon mentioned that he was awaiting test results to determine the extent of the damage, raising concerns among the Packers’ coaching staff and fans alike. Head coach Matt LaFleur expressed significant concern regarding Dillon’s condition, emphasizing that the team would proceed with extreme caution. This cautious approach ultimately led to the decision to place Dillon on injured reserve without the designation to return, effectively sidelining him for the entirety of the 2024 season.

The Packers’ Roster Moves: Who Made the Cut?

With Dillon out, the Packers had to make several difficult decisions to meet the 53-man roster limit. These decisions included waiving or releasing a number of players across various positions. Among the more notable moves were the releases of quarterbacks Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt, both of whom were competing for backup roles. The Packers’ decision to release these quarterbacks likely indicates confidence in the current depth at the position, with Jordan Love solidifying his role as the starter.

In addition to the quarterbacks, the Packers released a group of wide receivers, including Grant DuBose, Samori Toure, Julian Hicks, Dimitri Stanley, and Jalen Wayne. This wave of cuts highlights the competitive nature of the Packers’ receiving corps, where a strong group of players, including Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and rookie sensation Jayden Reed, secured their spots on the roster.

The offensive line also saw significant changes, with the Packers parting ways with Royce Newman, Caleb Jones, Luke Tenuta, Lecitus Smith, and Donovan Jennings. Offensive line depth is always crucial in the NFL, and these cuts indicate that the Packers are confident in the players they retained, likely believing that their starting unit and backups are capable of protecting Love and paving the way for the running game in Dillon’s absence.

On the defensive side, the Packers made several notable cuts along the defensive line, including defensive ends Deslin Alexandre, Keshawn Banks, Zach Morton, and Brevin Allen, as well as defensive tackles James Ester, Spencer Waege, and Keonte Schad. These moves suggest that the Packers have settled on a defensive front that they believe can generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks and stop the run effectively.

Linebackers Kristian Welch, Christian Young, and Chris Russell, along with cornerbacks Robert Rochell, Kalen King, and Gemon Green, were also released, reflecting the Packers’ decisions on depth at these positions. The team appears to be focusing on a core group of linebackers and defensive backs that they trust to execute the defensive game plan.

In the secondary, safeties Anthony Johnson Jr. and Benny Sapp III were among the final cuts, indicating the Packers’ confidence in their remaining safeties, such as Darnell Savage and Rudy Ford, to lead the defensive backfield.

Special Teams Decisions: The Kicker Battle

One of the more closely watched competitions during the Packers’ training camp was the battle for the placekicker position. After weeks of evaluation, the Packers have decided to part ways with kickers Anders Carlson and Alex Hale, thereby confirming Greg Joseph as the winner of the team’s kicking competition. Joseph’s consistency and reliability during the preseason likely played a crucial role in this decision, as the Packers aim to improve their special teams performance, which has been a point of concern in recent seasons.

Injured Reserve and Other Designations

In addition to AJ Dillon, the Packers also placed tight end Tyler Davis and defensive tackle Jonathan Ford on injured reserve. Unlike Dillon, however, Ford has been designated to return, which means there is hope that he could rejoin the team later in the season once he has recovered from his injury.

The Packers also waived linebacker Ralen Goforth and cornerback LJ Davis with injury designations. These players will be subject to the waiver process, and if they clear waivers, they could potentially be placed on the Packers’ injured reserve list, allowing the team to retain their rights while they recover.

Looking Ahead: The Packers’ 2024 Season

With the roster now set, the Packers turn their attention to the upcoming 2024 season. The loss of AJ Dillon is undoubtedly a significant blow to the team, particularly as they look to establish a strong running game to complement their passing attack led by Jordan Love. Dillon’s power running style was expected to be a key component of the offense, especially in short-yardage and goal-line situations. However, the Packers will now need to rely more heavily on Josh Jacobs, who will take on the primary role, and the remaining depth in the running back room.

The finalization of the 53-man roster also signals the beginning of a critical period for the Packers as they prepare for their season opener. The players who made the roster now have the opportunity to contribute and prove that they deserve their spots. For the coaching staff, the focus will be on fine-tuning strategies and ensuring that the team is ready to compete at a high level.

In conclusion, while the Packers’ final roster moves included the unfortunate loss of a key player in AJ Dillon, the team remains poised to tackle the challenges of the 2024 season. With a blend of experienced veterans and promising young talent, the Packers will look to build on their strengths and aim for a successful campaign in the competitive landscape of the NFL.


Meta Description: The Packers finalized their 53-man roster, with AJ Dillon sidelined for the 2024 season due to injury. Key roster decisions, including the selection of Greg Joseph as kicker, were made.

Keywords: Packers 53-man roster, AJ Dillon injury, Green Bay Packers, NFL 2024 season, Packers roster cuts, Greg Joseph kicker, Packers injured reserve

FAQs

1. Why is AJ Dillon out for the 2024 season? AJ Dillon suffered a recurring neck injury (stinger) that led the Packers to place him on injured reserve, ending his 2024 season.

2. Who will replace AJ Dillon as the primary backup running back? With Dillon out, Josh Jacobs is expected to take on the lead role, with other running backs providing depth.

3. Who won the Packers’ kicking competition? Greg Joseph secured the role as the Packers’ kicker after the team released Anders Carlson and Alex Hale.

4. What does placing a player on injured reserve mean? When a player is placed on injured reserve, they are unable to play for the rest of the season unless designated to return later.

5. How does this roster compare to last year’s Packers team? The roster includes a mix of returning veterans and new faces, aiming to improve on last year’s performance with strong depth across key positions.

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