The Green Bay Packers announced that they have signed center Garth Gerhart to their practice squad. The Packers signed Gerhart to the practice squad during last year’s postseason and after he had spent all of 2012 on the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad.
Gerhart spent training camp with the Packers this past summer and was let go during some of the team’s last cut downs.
The signing likely means that the injury to Greg Van Roten’s foot is going to keep him out for a while longer and the team currently had no true centers behind starter Evan Dietrich-Smith.
The backup plan, in the event that EDS were to get hurt, was to utilize one of Don Barclay, TJ Lang or Josh Sitton at center and move Marshall Newhouse into the mix. Even with Gerhart waiting in the wings, that plan may still be the main contingency.
Once Van Roten is able to return, it is likely that Gerhart could be let go again, but any time a former Arizona State Sun Devil is on Green Bay’s roster, this alum jumps at the chance to spread the news.
In order to create a spot for Gerhart, the Packers released receiver/kick returner Reggie Dunn. Dunn was signed last week after the team released Jeremy Ross, and in the hopes that he might be able to emerge as the primary kick returner. That wasn’t the case, and the Packers will continue to search out their best option in the return game.
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Jason Perone is an independent sports blogger writing about the Packers on AllGreenBayPackers.com
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Thanks for the update. It would appear the Packers liked what they saw last year and this spring and summer in Gerhart, just not quite enough to make the 53-man roster…
He probaby isn’t…..but he looks soft.
EDS needs to stay healthy
Interesting that now they have 3 offensive linemen on the practice squad, plus Sherrod ready go onto the roster in a couple of weeks from the PUP (or so McCarthy says) and Stetter on PUP. They must like those other two practice squad guys, or maybe more practice squad shuffling is upcoming. I agree, I don’t think Gerhart will last long after Van Roten gets healthy unless he really shows something. On the other hand is van roten that safe?
Any more updates on Stetter – is he out for the year? At one time He sounded like the heir apparent at center.
Tim, am sure you meant J.C. Tretter. Concerning Sherrod coming back in two weeks…am not holding my breath. Remember MM alluding to the same situation around game ten or twelve last year. Unless an O-Lineman gets placed on IR, I do not see him being activated this year. Let’s hope he is ready for the 2014 season beginning with OTA’s and stays healthy all through training camp. Then we could all evaluate if he was a good pick or truly a bust.
That’s the guy I was trying to think, thanks John.