Packers place Sam Barrington on Injured Reserve and reinstate Datone Jones from suspension

On Monday, we at Acme Packing Company discussed the impending return of defensive end Datone Jones from his one-game suspension. We also mentioned several names that might have shown up on the transaction report under the "Waived" section to make room for Jones on the Green Bay Packers' roster.

One name we did not mention is that of inside linebacker Sam Barrington. Unfortunately for the third-year pro, the Packers announced on Tuesday afternoon that they have placed Barrington on Injured Reserve with an ankle injury.

Concurrently, Jones was indeed reinstated to the active roster from the Reserve/Suspended list to take Barrington's spot and keep the roster at 53 players.

The Packers are now perilously thin at inside linebacker. Nate Palmer and rookie Jake Ryan represent the only full-time players at the position, and though Clay Matthews started inside in week one, he still has been taking snaps at outside linebacker as well.

Matthews' workload will be worth monitoring, as will the transaction report to see if the Packers would add any players at the position. Carl Bradford is on the Packers' practice squad and could provide some depth if necessary, while fellow practice squad member and undrafted rookie James Vaughters also took some snaps at inside linebacker in the preseason. The Packers could look to free agency as well and add a player like Mason Foster, who was a member of the Chicago Bears during training camp.

Jones, also a third-year player, has served his one-game suspension and will return to the defensive line group. Fellow lineman Letroy Guion remains on suspension through weeks two and three and will be eligible to return before the fourth game of the season, against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara.