Packers activate Corey Linsley from PUP list

Corey Linsley is ready to make his return after spending the first eight weeks of the 2016 season on the sidelines. On Saturday, the Green Bay Packers officially activated the center off the physically unable to perform list, adding him to their 53-man roster and making him available for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Linsley, who started at center for the Packers since his rookie season in 2014, missed the offseason and first half of the regular season while recovering from a twice-injured hamstring. Linsley's absence allowed for JC Tretter to take over as the quarterback of the offensive line, a job in which he performed well enough for head coach Mike McCarthy to declare him the starter indefinitely regardless of Linsley's health.

However, with Tretter's knee ailing and potentially sidelining him for several weeks, Linsley's return comes at the perfect time for Green Bay. He has practice with the team for several weeks prior to his activation and took all the first-team reps in practice this week in anticipation of starting this weekend.

Linsley's activation also gives the Packers more options along the line once Tretter heals. Though Linsley has only played center during his time with the team, he could help fill in for an injury at either guard spot. Alternatively, Green Bay could shift Tretter from center to fill a void and have Linsley take over his vacated center spot.

Either way, Linsley expects to see his first action of the season on Sunday.