Packers sign free agent tackle/guard Jamon Meredith, place receiver Kevin Dorsey on IR

The Green Bay Packers made a pair of roster moves Saturday, placing injured wide receiver Kevin Dorsey on injured reserve and signing utility offensive lineman Jamon Meredith to fill his spot.

News broke late Thursday night that Dorsey suffered a serious foot fracture that would likely end his season. As we speculated then, injuries to starting guards Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang may push the Packers to replace the receiver with an offensive lineman. Meredith fits the bill, as he has started games at every line position except center. Meredith entered the league with Green Bay as a fifth-round pick in 2009, but failed to make the final cut down. He spent time on the team's practice squad before signing with the Buffalo Bills later that season. He later played with the Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Indianapolis Colts. By adding Meredith, the Packers allow untested blockers Jeremy Vujnovich, Josh Walker, and Jordan McCray to remain on the practice squad where they can continue to develop.

The Meredith signing also suggests that one or both of the Packers' starting guards won't suit up Sunday against the Chicago Bears. According to the team's official depth chart, the top backups at left and right tackle are JC Tretter and Lang respectively. With Tretter practicing all week at Sitton's usual left guard spot and no other backup tackle on the roster, adding someone that can cover for an injury to David Bakhtiari or Bryan Bulaga becomes a high priority if either Sitton or Lang can't play.

Meanwhile, Dorsey's departure opens the door for rookie Jeff Janis to see a significant uptick in playing time. Janis has played in just three games, receiving just 15 snaps from scrimmage. He has two catches for 16 yards on the season. It is not clear if Janis will absorb Dorsey's role on special teams.