The Green Bay Packers waived longtime Matt Orzech from the 53-man roster to make room for defensive lineman Jonathan Ford, who was activated from injured reserve on Monday.
The move appears to be procedural and does not reflect the team’s plans for the long snapper. Ford, who started the season on injured reserve after suffering a preseason calf injury, had to be activated before the 21-day window expired. By releasing Orzech, the Packers opened up a roster spot and set in motion expected moves to come.
Most likely, Ford will be released from the squad and re-signed to the practice squad. Orzech is then expected to return and continue to serve as the team’s long snapper.
The Packers already have five dynamic defensive backs, and Devonte Wyatt is close to returning from an ankle injury. Ford, a seventh-round pick in the 2022 draft who has never appeared in a regular-season game, makes more sense as a developmental option on the practice squad.
However, Orzech is not doing well as a snapper. He had a low snap to Daniel Whelan after a punt and a low snap on the game-winning field goal in Sunday’s game against the Texans. The Packers signed Orzech as a free agent ahead of the 2023 season, and he has been the team’s longtime power forward in all 24 games over the past two seasons.
