The Green Bay Packers made their final cuts on Sunday to get down to the NFL mandated roster limit of 53 players. Most of the moves were expected but as always, there were some surprises in the players GM Brian Gutekunst, and head coach Matt LaFleur decided to keep and let go. Here is a look at the five biggest surprises from the Packers initial 53-man roster. Some players could still be signed to the practice squad later this week and then elevated to the active roster for one game or on a full-time basis.

Obviously, the roster is never final, and the Packers will be signing and releasing players throughout the season due to injuries, poor play, or the availability of a player the team really wants to sign.

Five Biggest Surprises from the Packers Initial Roster, Number Five: Packers Release Draft Pick

The Packers selected cornerback Domani Jackson in the sixth round of this year’s draft. Unfortunately, he missed valuable reps in training camp due to a core muscle injury and never really recovered.

Jackson played against the Cardinals, but the rust showed and he was beaten badly several times in the game. He appeared to be thinking rather than reacting, which is hardly surprising after missing all that valuable time in training camp.

The Packers will likely try to sign Jackson to the practice squad. He was viewed as a developmental project when they drafted him and that would give him a chance to develop.

Number Four: WR Will Sheppard

Wide receiver Will Sheppard had a strong training camp and finished the preseason on a high note. He scored two touchdowns against the Cardinals, one on a catch and the other on an 81-yard punt return.

Sheppard faced a numbers game trying to make the Packers roster at wide receiver. The team had five locks at wide receiver before camp started. In addition, undrafted free agent J. Michael Sturdivant also had a standout performance in camp and made the roster. The team also placed Savion Williams on IR with a designation to return.

The Packers may try to add Sheppard to the practice squad if he’s unclaimed on waivers.

Five Biggest Surprises from the Packers Initial Roster, Number Three: S Mark Perry

Mark Perry enjoyed a strong training camp and preseason. He made some good open field tackles, looked good stopping the run and contributed on special teams. He even intercepted a pass against the Broncos and made a touchdown-saving tackle near the goal line against the Steelers.

Again, the team’s depth at the safety position and the need to keep more players elsewhere kept Perry from making the initial 53-man roster.

Expect the Packers to try to sign Perry to the practice squad if they can. The 25-year-old former undrafted free agent showed promise but has yet to play a regular-season NFL game.

Number Two: The Packers Kept Only Four Edge Rushers

With Micah Parsons starting the season on the PUP list, the Packers kept only four edge rushers. They are Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox, and rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton. The team also placed 2025 draft pick Collin Oliver on the injured reserve with a designation to return.

The team is taking a gamble for the early part of the season until Parsons returns. Look for at least two edge rushers to be added to the practice squad with Nyjalik Kelly and Arron Mosby being the top candidates who were on the roster during training camp. One of them could be activated for each of the early season games until the return of Parsons.

Five Biggest Surprises from the Packers Initial Roster, Number One: Trading QB Kyle McCord

The Packers played quarterback Kyle McCord the entire game against the Cardinals. He threw four touchdown passes and led the team to a last-minute win in the game.

McCord enjoyed a strong preseason and training camp. Many fans felt he outplayed backup Tyrod Taylor, but the Packers opted to trade him rather than trying to stash him on the practice squad and risk losing him for nothing. They traded him to the Miami Dolphins for a sixth-round pick in 2028.

From a value standpoint, this was a great move. The Packers took a player they signed as a street free agent who wasn’t a part of their plans for 2026 and got a draft pick in a potentially deep draft in exchange.

However, it also leaves them without a developmental quarterback at the moment. Of course, the Packers can sign a new quarterback to the practice squad at any time, but McCord did appear to show some promise.

 

 

 

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