The Green Bay Packers made a few quiet but telling roster moves on Tuesday, tweaking the bottom of the depth chart in ways that could have ripple effects in the weeks ahead. Wide receiver Michael Woods II and cornerback Tyron Herring were released from the practice squad, while cornerback Shemar Bartholomew was added in a corresponding move. That leaves one open spot on the practice squad - but not for long.
That spot is expected to go to a familiar face: Will Sheppard. The wideout and return specialist spent training camp with the Packers and was part of the team’s initial practice squad.
He earned a brief call-up to the 53-man roster last week when the Packers were dealing with a rash of injuries at receiver - Matthew Golden, Savion Williams, and Jayden Reed were all sidelined. Sheppard didn’t see the field on offense or special teams in the Thanksgiving matchup against the Lions, but his elevation was a clear sign the team values his potential as a depth piece.
Now, Sheppard returns to the practice squad, joining fellow receivers Isaiah Neyor and Jakobie Keeney-James. It’s a bit of roster gymnastics, but it gives the Packers flexibility as they manage injuries and evaluate young talent down the stretch.
If you’re keeping tabs, the recent practice squad shuffle essentially breaks down like this: kicker Lucas Havrisik - who had previously been on the 53-man roster - slides into the spot vacated by Woods. Bartholomew steps in for Herring at corner. It’s a one-for-one exchange at both positions, but the broader picture is starting to take shape.
The practice squad is now full, but the 53-man roster isn’t - Sheppard’s return to the practice squad leaves an open spot on the active roster. And that’s not the only vacancy looming. Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt is expected to head to injured reserve with an ankle injury, which would open up another roster spot soon.
In anticipation, the Packers have already opened the practice windows for several players: wide receiver Jayden Reed, running back MarShawn Lloyd, and defensive ends Collin Oliver and Brenton Cox Jr. It’s likely that two of those four will be elevated to fill the active roster gaps created by Sheppard’s demotion and Wyatt’s expected IR stint.
Until those moves are made official, the Packers are effectively operating with a 51-man active roster - not ideal in the thick of a playoff push, but manageable with reinforcements on the way. These aren’t headline-grabbing moves, but they reflect the constant roster churn that defines life in the NFL, especially in December. Every spot matters, every move has a purpose, and for a team like Green Bay - still in the thick of things - these adjustments could prove critical in the weeks to come.