Update: The Green Bay Packers have placed running back AJ Dillon on injured reserve without the possibility of returning, which means he will miss the entire season. This decision was made as the team announced its initial 53-man roster.
Dillon is dealing with a stinger injury, while NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero has reported that he has a neck injury.
Additionally, the Packers have released quarterbacks Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt, both of whom were vying for the backup position behind Jordan Love. Currently, the Packers have two quarterbacks on their roster: Jordan Love and Malik Willis. The team traded a seventh-round pick in 2025 to the Tennessee Titans to acquire Willis, who will serve as Love’s backup.
Other notable roster cuts include wide receivers Samori Toure and Grant DuBose, offensive lineman Royce Newman, linebacker Kristian Welch, and kicker Anders Carlson. The Packers have decided to keep wide receiver Malik Heath, bringing the total to six wide receivers on the roster.
Greg Joseph, formerly with the Minnesota Vikings, has been named the new starting kicker for the team.
For additional details on the Packers’ 53-man roster, please refer to the official announcement.
In related news, the Packers have released kicker Anders Carlson after just one season. Reports indicate that Carlson struggled last season, missing seven field goals and six extra point attempts across both the regular season and playoffs. He had an 81.8% success rate on field goals and 87.2% on extra points during the regular season.
Notably, Carlson missed a crucial 41-yard field goal attempt during the fourth quarter of a playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, which resulted in a 24-21 loss for the Packers. During this preseason, he converted 3 out of 4 field goal attempts but missed a 32-yard attempt in the final preseason game against the Ravens.
Carlson was in competition for a roster spot with kicker Greg Joseph, who remains on the team.
The Packers have also released Clifford and Pratt, who may return to the practice squad if they pass through waivers. The quarterback situation has shifted after the Packers traded a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Titans for Malik Willis, who is likely to be the backup to Love.
Both Clifford and Pratt were noted competitors for the backup position, and recent reports also confirm the release of linebacker Kristian Welch and wide receiver Samori Toure, while Malik Heath remains on the 53-man roster. Welch showed promise in the preseason with two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
All NFL teams had until 3 p.m. CT to finalize their 53-man rosters.