The Packers added two punters to their Thursday workout list, an unusual move by Green Bay standards and one that stood out even more because Daniel Whelan is not listed on the team’s most recent injury report.
Jack Stonehouse and James Rendell were the two specialists brought in. Both are 2026 undrafted free agents, and the timing of the tryouts was notable because the Packers typically host visitors on Mondays or Tuesdays, not Thursday.
Stonehouse comes with a familiar surname. He is the cousin of Ryan Stonehouse, who spent three seasons with the Tennessee Titans and was named an All-Pro as a rookie. Jack Stonehouse signed with Houston in post-draft free agency, was waived in August, and has since worked out for the Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings.
Rendell is an international player from Australia, which could matter if Green Bay were to sign him to the practice squad. In that case, he would count as an international exemption in place of Krieg. Rendell was also invited to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ rookie minicamp this offseason, but he never signed with an NFL club.
The Packers are carrying a 50-man roster right now, so they can add players to the practice squad without a release if they move practice squad players up to the active roster. Josh Jacobs and Jordon Riley are expected to be promoted soon, which would open two of the three available spots.
Green Bay’s recent wave of visits and tryouts since the cutdown deadline has covered just about every position. The list includes quarterbacks Jack Plummer and Cam Miller; running backs Phil Mafah, Damon Bankston, Ian Wheeler; wide receivers Nick Nash, Bryce Oliver, Quincy Skinner Jr., Coleman Owen, and Dontae Fleming; tight end Cody Hardy; offensive linemen Cordell Volson, Mekhi Becton, Robert Jones, and Kevin Zeitler; defensive linemen Zxavian Harris, Eric Johnson II, Jalen Hunt, Gabe Hall, David Blay Jr., Isaiah Iton, and Mazi Smith; edge rusher Cruz Smith; linebackers Deion Jones, Chris Paul, Jack Dingle, Curtis Jacobs, Cam Riley, Josh Ross, and Channing Tindall; cornerbacks Ambry Thomas, Cobee Bryant, Dwight McGlothern, Miles Battle, and Elijah Culp; safeties Sanoussi Kane, Kahlef Hailassie, John Saunders Jr., Chris Edmonds, Wande Owens, and Juanyeh Thomas.
Some of those tryouts turned into moves. Bankston was signed and released by the Packers on the practice squad, while Skinner, Owen, Volson, Becton, Eric Johnson II, Blay Jr., Mazi Smith, Jack Dingle, Elijah Culp, and Kahlef Hailassie all ended up with Green Bay on the practice squad.
Kevin Zeitler was signed to the 53-man roster. Zxavian Harris also drew attention after the team got in trouble for it, though he is now eligible to be signed.
In Other News...
Packers Just Raised An Unexpected Daniel Whelan Question
The Packers decision to bring in punter Jack Stonehouse and James Rendell this week is the sort of move that turns heads only because Daniel Whelan has been steady and healthy. Whelan remains the established starter, and there is no sign Green Bay is preparing to make a change at the position, but the club still took a look at two alternatives without making any immediate additions.
For now, the situation appears to be more about keeping tabs on available legs than creating a real competition. Green Bay does not carry a backup punter on either the active roster or practice squad, so unless something changes with Whelan, the Packers likely will not need to act at all. Still, anytime a team is checking out punters while the starter is doing his job, it is the kind of quiet roster wrinkle worth watching. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Add Receiver As Injuries Force Another Week 7 Shuffle
Injuries are forcing another roster tweak for Green Bay as the Packers head into Week 7, with linebacker Zaire Franklin set to miss the game because of a shin injury. The team does not expect Franklin to be out long, and there is no indication he will land on injured reserve, but the short-term absence adds another wrinkle to a defense already managing its share of moving parts.
The bigger hit comes at receiver, where Skyy Moore has been placed on injured reserve after suffering an ankle sprain, sidelining him for several weeks. To help fill the gap, Green Bay signed Coleman Owen from the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad to its 53-man roster, giving the Packers another body at a position where availability has become a weekly concern. [Read more 🡒]
Packers WR Duo Is Forcing A Bigger NFC North Debate
The early wideout conversation in the NFC North has shifted quickly, and the Packers have found themselves right in the middle of it. Matthew Golden and Christian Watson have emerged as the divisions most productive receiving pair so far this season, a notable turn for a Green Bay offense that has had to sort through changing roles and a wider mix of pass-catching options while the rest of the division has dealt with its own wrinkles.
In Minnesota, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison still carry the name recognition that usually sets the standard in the division, while Chicago is trying to sort out the production curve for Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III and Detroit keeps leaning on Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Injuries and usage have colored all of those comparisons, and Green Bays own picture has been altered too, with Jayden Reed sidelined for the year after the neck injury he suffered in Week 2. [Read more 🡒]