He wasn't kidding.
Gutekunst continued tweaking the 53-man roster on Monday, adding running back Darius Jackson off the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad and signing linebacker Korey Toomer. Those are an effort to fill two obvious needs in advance of the team's regular-season opener Sunday night against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field.
"It took a little longer than normal," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said following the team's first post-training camp practice. "We had a lot of movement there on Saturday into Sunday, (and) we were juggling things. . Obviously, I think our transactions reflect that. So, it's been a long weekend. (But) we feel really good about the 63 players (including the practice squad) in our locker room and we'll move forward getting ready for the Bears."
To make room for Toomer, the Packers placed wide receiver Jake Kumerow on injured reserve. By having Kumerow, a Wisconsin-Whitewater alum who was the star of training camp earlier this summer, on the 53-man roster for a day, he is now eligible to return from IR later this season. NFL rules allow each team to bring a maximum of two players back from IR later in the season.
Kumerow injured his shoulder while crossing the goal line on an 82-yard touchdown Aug. 16 against Pittsburgh.
To accommodate Jackson, the Packers waived cornerback Herb Waters one day after he'd made the initial roster.
Before adding Jackson, a 2016 sixth-round pick from Eastern Michigan who has spent time with the Cowboys and Browns but has never played in an NFL regular-season game, the Packers had only two running backs: second-year back Jamaal Williams, who is set to be the starter, and converted wide receiver Ty Montgomery. Aaron Jones, the team's most explosive running threat last season, will miss the first two weeks because of an NFL suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
The Packers had four other running backs at the end of camp Derrick Henry Jersey Big , but the team released Joel Bouagnon, LeShun Daniels and Bronson Hill, and waived/injured Devante Mays. Both fullbacks, Aaron Ripkowski and Joe Kerridge, were also released on the final cutdown. Bouagnon and Kerridge were re-signed to the practice squad Sunday.
McCarthy has said for years he doesn't like going into games with just two active running backs, but that could be the case against the Bears because Jackson didn't arrive at the facility in time to participate in Monday's practice.
"I think those guys are ready to go," McCarthy said of Williams and Montgomery. "They're healthy, they give us an excellent 1-2 punch. So, I'm not concerned about that at all."
Said Williams: "I'm just grateful for any opportunity, and these are the opportunities you want - to get more carries and more responsibility in the offense. Really, you take it for what it is and not take it for granted. I'm doing everything I can to make sure the coaches know I'm going to keep producing at a consistent rate."
It's unclear what the Packers will have at inside linebacker alongside veteran Blake Martinez, who tied for the NFL lead in tackles last season. Third-round pick Oren Burks, who sustained a shoulder injury during pregame warmups at Oakland on Aug. 24, was with the rehabilitation group at practice and may not be ready for the Bears.
Gutekunst acquired Antonio Morrison in a trade with Indianapolis last week, and he or Toomer could start if Burks isn't cleared. Toomer, in his fifth season, has played 46 games (16 starts) and was in camp with the 49ers before being cut Saturday.
"This is always the big challenge when you get to that spot of finishing your 53 Womens Cam Newton Jersey ," McCarthy admitted. "We've had a lot of change. And that's always the challenge.
"But we're set and ready to go with all our guys and we're looking forward to the week of preparation."
Fantasy football players needn't worry if they miss out on Giants running back Saquon Barkley. While he's the crown jewel of the 2018 rookie class, there are a host of first-year players who will contribute to the success of those who select them.
The rookie crop did receive a significant hit when Redskins running back Derrius Guice 鈥?who had been a consensus No. 2 pick in dynasty/keeper leagues that use rookie drafts 鈥?was lost for this season with a torn ACL in the second preseason game.
Most of the top rookies that fantasy players will pursue have the spotlight on them, yet there are a handful of others who have made a jump up draft boards with their exhibition play.
Barkley: He will receive a high volume of touches and will benefit from the presence of a healthy Odell Beckham Jr. and a revamped offensive line. There will be moments where he will look like a rookie, but Barkley will fully emerge as an RB1. His value is further enhanced by his impressive receiving skills, making him a strong bet to catch 50-55 passes. Barkley looks like he will be a double-digit touchdown scorer and should begin a run of fantasy dominance out of the gate.
Royce Freeman, RB, Broncos: Based on his preseason performance, it's hard to believe Freeman fell to the third round. Coach Vance Joseph may be saying Freeman will share time with Devonta Booker, but Freeman will be the eventual starter and will soon end any talk about sharing the job. Freeman has home run ability once he gets in the open field and is also a solid receiver that will get 35-40 passes from Case Keenum. He's now in the top 50 range of the draft and has a reasonable chance to hit the 1,000-yard mark should he win the job outright.
Michael Gallup, WR, Cowboys: Tight end Jason Witten retired to the Monday Night Football booth and receiver Dez Bryant was released. Dallas selected Gallup in the third round and has seen him flash signs of becoming an impact receiver in a rookie class that lacks immediately ready wideouts. He's a good play near the end of the draft and will likely start from Week 1.
Kerryon Johnson, RB, Lions: Detroit knew that Johnson had the ability to overtake LeGarrette Blount and Ameer Abdullah as the lead back. What they didn't know was that the former Auburn star was an exceptional pass catcher. Johnson averaged nearly 5 yards per carry in the preseason and will eventually squash the Lions' projected running back by committee. He should be drafted with the expectation of him being the lead back by midseason.
Sony Michel, RB, Patriots: If the Pats are using a first-round pick on a running back, consider him special. Michel has missed much of the preseason with a knee injury but has explosive Womens Antonio Brown Jersey , game-altering moves that will allow him to become the go-to back on early downs. There is risk in taking Michel in the later rounds, but there's also a good chance he can put up more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage while offering 7-9 touchdowns.
Courtland Sutton, WR, Broncos: Already nicknamed "Megatron Jr." by his teammates, the 6-5, 230-pound Sutton has played worthy of the nickname former Lions receiver Calvin Johnson earned. Sutton's size and leaping ability will make him a nightmare in jump ball situations and while his catches could be limited behind Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, look for Sutton to be a sneaky good WR3/flex with 7-9 touchdown potential.
Rashaad Penny, RB, Seahawks: A broken finger in mid-August slowed down his momentum toward winning the starting job. He will open the season behind Chris Carson and is still expected to play a major role in the Seattle offense. His draft stock is low, which means Penny can evolve into a value pick.
D.J. Moore, WR, Panthers: Opens the season as the fourth receiver on the roster but has the skills to become a sneaky good stash who pays off later in the season.
Nyheim Hines, RB, Colts: An explosive element the Indianapolis offense has lacked in the backfield, Hines could be a solid third down back and return specialist who could amass over 1,000 all-purpose yards. His fantasy value is strongest in leagues where individual players are credited with return yards.
James Washington Authentic Kirk Cousins Jersey , WR, Steelers: Has earned the coveted slot position in a lethal Pittsburgh passing attack and was a big reason why the team traded Martavis Bryant to the Raiders. Don't be shocked if Washington finishes with 7-9 touchdown catches.
Sam Darnold, QB, Jets: The third overall pick is a near-lock to start Week 1 and has an underrated receiving corps that will help him develop. His best fantasy days are down the road; however, Darnold will be an intriguing pick in two-quarterback leagues along with being a streaming option when the Jets get a favorable matchup on the schedule.
Calvin Ridley, WR, Falcons: He will start the season as the team's third receiver while nipping at the heels of Mohamed Sanu's starting job. Ridley will need time to develop but in one-year leagues, he should be considered in the back end of drafts.
Mike Gesicki, TE, Dolphins: Has a lock on the starting job and will become a reliable check down option for quarterback Ryan Tannehill. There is sleeper potential with Gesicki, who could become a red zone-friendly TE2 with the ability to grab 35-40 passes in his first season.
Baker Mayfield, QB, Browns: The first overall pick has looked sharp in the preseason (71 percent completion rate) but coach Hue Jackson is expected to give veteran Tyrod Taylor the starting nod. He's more valuable in a dynasty/keeper league.
Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens: The 2016 Heisman winner won't see a lot of time, but Baltimore will utilize his athleticism in a variety of packages. A best case is him either getting a handful of starts later in the season or coach John Harbaugh turning him into a 2018 version of former Steelers multi-threat Kordell "Slash" Stewart.
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