With two roster spots unexpectedly open, the Green Bay Packers signed linebacker Robert Rochell from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Saturday.
Rochell has played four games for the Packers this season, including three as part of the practice squad. He ran out of games, so the Packers had to sign him to the vigorous roster so he could play again in Green Bay this season.
This move represents a potential special teams boost. Rochell, a veteran special teams player, appeared on the field for 49 special teams snaps in four games earlier in the season. He played 20 snaps that included kickoffs, 14 that included punts, 13 blocks on a punt return and two blocks on a kickoff return. Rochell made one tackle and drew a holding penalty, while also missing a tackle and committing a holding penalty.
It is unclear whether Rochell’s transfer has anything to do with the injury status of cornerback Jaire Alexander, who will miss Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears with a knee injury. Corey Ballentine is well after a previous ankle injury, which suggests the cornerback depth will be fine heading into Sunday, and Rochell’s signing has more to do with special teams.
The Packers had two roster spots to fill, although certainly not as planned. First-round pick Jordan Morgan suffered a shoulder injury in practice this week and was placed on injured reserve on Saturday, while third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd – who had already been scheduled to return from injured reserve – needed surgery on Friday to treat appendicitis and pauses for an indefinite period.
It appeared that the vacant roster spot created by the Preston Smith trade would go to Lloyd at the deadline, who practiced on Wednesday and Thursday and could be officially activated on Saturday. Instead, Lloyd remains on injured reserve and Morgan joined him, allowing Rochell to rejoin the 53-man squad.
The Packers signed Rochell to the squad on October 5, then played the Los Angeles Rams on October 6. He was released on October 7 and re-signed to the practice squad on October 9.
