Packers sign two free agents, release CB Waters and place WR Kumerow on IR

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has been laboring on Labor Day and made a few early morning roster moves.

According to Ian Rapaport of NFL Network, the Packers released cornerback Herb Waters and placed undrafted rookie wide receiver Jake Kumerow on injured reserve then signed inside linebacker Korey Toomer and, according to Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, signed running back Darius Jackson off the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad.

Waters was an converted receiver from Miami and could possibly still return to the Packers since the team still has two open spots on their practice squad. He was originally signed by the Packers in 2016.

Kumerow was probably the winner of the fan preseason hype award before injuring his shoulder. The undrafted rookie from Wisconsin-Whitewater had drawn praise from teammates including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but he won’t be eligible to return until after Week 8 thanks to the IR designation.

As for Toomer, he was drafted in the fifth round of the 2012 draft by the Seattle Seahawks and has played for five teams since Seattle released in him in 2014. He spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers. He will add depth to a thin linebacker corps, but will mainly be relied upon as a special teams contributor.

Jackson was a sixth round pick of the Cowboys in 2016 but was inactive for most of the season before being released. The Cleveland Browns claimed him off waivers but kept him inactive for the remainder of 2016. The Browns eventually released him for good in May and he soon found himself back in Dallas. Jackson does not have a single regular season carry to his name. He will be counted upon as depth until Aaron Jones returns from his two-game suspension.

The Packers roster is now back at 53 but as Gutekunst said yesterday, it’s fluid and constantly in flux. Keep it here at APC for the latest updates as the Packers prepare for Week 1.