With Mike Daniels missing most of last Sunday’s Green Bay Packers game with a hamstring injury and sitting out of practice on Wednesday, the Packers turned to an old friend for assistance.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Packers are signing Ricky Jean Francois to the roster. Jean Francois signed a free agent deal with the Packers in the offseason and made the initial 53-man roster, but was surprisingly let go on September 13th after barely playing in the team’s week one game against the Seattle Seahawks.
However, the Packers were down to just three — and sometimes two — healthy defensive linemen against the Atlanta Falcons in week two. Daniels left on the opening series, leaving Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, and Quinton Dial as the only available linemen due to rookie Montravius Adams being a gameday inactive. Lowry missed a short period of the game with an injury as well, though he returned to the game.
Jean Francois brings a wealth of experience in 3-4 defenses to the table, and is a capable run-stuffer up front. In a statement released Wednesday morning, he complimented the Packers organization:
My release from Green Bay is just part of the business of playing in this league. I've really enjoyed my short time here, though. The Packers have stand-up coaches and players in that locker room. I know anything can happen. But whether I end up back here, or another team comes calling, I'll be back on an NFL field somewhere soon.
Apparently, soon was an understatement. Jean Francois also alluded to his imminent signing Wednesday afternoon, about an hour before Rapoport reported the move:
#920
— Ricky Jean Francois (@Rbjf_99) September 20, 2017
920 is of course the area code covering Green Bay and most of Northeastern Wisconsin.
This signing may be an indication that Daniels’ injury is more serious than initially feared, and that he may miss more time in the next few weeks as a result.
At present, no corresponding roster move has been announced to open a roster spot.