The Green Bay Packers moved on two fronts in a late-roster shuffle, releasing rookie running back Jalen White as they add running back Tyrion Davis-Price, while also waiving cornerback Isaiah Dunn with an injury designation. White, a Georgia Southern product who earned two all-conference honors in college, joined the Packers as an undrafted free agent in April.
In the preseason opener against the New York Jets, White served as the primary personal protector on the punt unit with the first team. With White out, and due to injuries to others, Zayne Anderson started on defense in place of the injured Xavier McKinney. Looking ahead to Saturday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, the question remains who will handle the personal protector duties, as Anderson is now dealing with an injury and safety Evan Williams played only a couple of snaps at the position last season. Head coach Matt LaFleur indicated that the starters are not expected to play in that matchup because the teams will conduct joint practices on Thursday.
Amid the depth concerns, fellow rookie Amar Johnson took backup personal protector snaps last week and delivered the most production among Packers skill-position players versus the Jets. Johnson’s performance could put him in a position to seize more opportunities if the RB room continues to deal with injuries.
White was waived with an injury designation, meaning he could revert to the Packers’ injured reserve if he goes unclaimed on waivers. In that case, an injury settlement would likely be reached to cover the time he spends away from the active roster.
Update: The Packers also waived cornerback Isaiah Dunn with an injury designation. Dunn — who joined Green Bay on a reserves/futures deal in January after spending three years with the Jets, Seahawks and Steelers — suffered a non-contract injury on Monday after appearing in the preseason opener. With Dunn out and one open roster spot remaining on the offseason roster, Green Bay now has a slot to fill.
Why this matters: The moves highlight Green Bay’s ongoing assessment of depth at running back and on special teams as the team prepares for joint practices and the eventual transition to the regular season. The door remains open for Amar Johnson and other young players to step up and prove they can contribute in a more prominent role, while the injury-designated moves ensure the club preserves options as it navigates a busy summer program.
Summary: Green Bay’s current roster shifts underscore a focus on building depth at running back and shoring up special-teams roles, with opportunities emerging for younger players to seize key snaps as the team prepares for joint practices with the Colts. A hopeful note is that the extra competition could accelerate development and create a robust, flexible roster moving forward.