When Philip Merling was on the inactive list for last week's game against the New Orleans Saints, everyone saw the writing on the wall. The Packers officially announced what we all knew was coming on Saturday afternoon: That Merling has been cut to make room for defensive end Mike Neal, whose suspension ended this week. Neal has been promoted to the active roster.

Neal has been disappointing in his first two years with the Packers, but his lack of performance has been mostly attributed to injury problems. He's finally healthy, and by all accounts he looked solid in practice this week and ready for game action. He should be fit to make the roster, but given that the team played with one less DL last week, it wouldn't be too shocking if Neal was kept on the inactive list.

Merling has been serviceable, but certainly nothing spectacular for the Packers since arriving. He should get a chance to stick with a new team once injuries start to pile up elsewhere.