The Green Bay Packers designated defensive lineman Jonathan Ford to return from injured reserve, opening their 21-day training window. Ford remains injured, but Matt LaFleur’s team now has three weeks to activate him to the 53-man roster.
Ford was the only Packers player placed on injured reserve and expected to return after final roster cuts. He suffered a calf injury during the pre-season final.
Ford, a seventh-round pick in 2022, was one of the Packers’ highest-rated defensemen in the preseason. The 338-pounder looked more explosive off the ball and proved to be a capable run defender.
Can the Packers expect an immediate impact from Ford?
“We’ll see. He hasn’t practiced in a while,” LaFleur said Wednesday.
The Packers play deep in the middle of the defensive line, although Devonte Wyatt is currently struggling with an ankle injury. For the last two weeks, Colby Wooden has been a robust bastard.
After missing at least four games, Ford is now eligible to go on injured reserve. The Packers could activate him anytime over the next three weeks. If he is not activated, he will return to injured reserve at the end of the season.
Ford, 26, has never played in a regular-season game. He spent last season on the training squad.
