Green Bay Packers sign John FitzPatrick from the Atlanta Falcons practice squad, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
In order for FitzPatrick to be included in the 53-man roster, an appropriate transfer will be necessary.
The Packers currently have three tight ends on the roster, but Luke Musgrave is dealing with an ankle injury. He was busy last week but didn’t take any snaps and was constrained during Wednesday’s practice.
FitzPatrick (6-7, 250) was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 draft by the Falcons (213th overall). He spent the 2022 season on injured reserve, but played in nine games for the Falcons last season, catching one pass for 12 yards. He was on the field for 18 offensive snaps and 83 special teams snaps.
Of his 18 snaps, FitzPatrick blocked the run on 11.
The Falcons released FitzPatrick after final cuts but signed him to the team’s starting practice squad.
In three preseasons with the Falcons, FitzPatrick caught nine passes on 16 targets for 68 yards. He missed two passes. His best skill is blocking, and he received solid run-blocking grades from PFF over 92 run-blocking snaps.
For Georgia, FitzPatrick appeared in 38 games, including 13 starts. He caught 17 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown, but was primarily used as a tight end, blocking inline.
“He’s a guy who does the dirty work,” Falcons scout Shepley Heard said after the 2022 draft. “He is a blocking tight end. He’s large, physical, tough, nasty and always trying to take guys down.
