Packers announce practice squad moves, adding Daylon Mack and Dexter Williams

The Green Bay Packers have announced two new practice squad signings, adding defensive lineman Daylon Mack and running back Dexter Williams to their 16-man group.

Mack’s deal was initially characterized as an addition to the 53 man roster, but assigning him merely to the practice squad means the Packers still have a roster spot available, heading into this week’s matchup with the Vikings carrying just 52 players on their active roster.

Initial confusion notwithstanding, the practice squad may be a better fit for Mack right now. The Packers are his fourth team since Aug. 1, and he finished last season on injured reserve. A 6-foot-1, 336-pound lineman, Mack was teammates with Kingsley Keke in college and projects as a beefy run defender at the point of attack.

Williams, meanwhile, is a familiar name for Packers fans. A sixth-round pick in 2019, Williams made scant contributions during his rookie season and lost a numbers game in training camp this year, ending up the odd man out in a backfield featuring Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams, A.J. Dillon, and Tyler Ervin. He has extensive experience in a zone running scheme, though, and earned plenty of mention from coaches and teammates alike during the Packers’ abbreviated training camp.

The Packers released offensive lineman Alex Light and running back Damarea Crockett to make room for Mack and Williams. Light’s slide down the depth chart began when he floundered in relief of Bryan Bulaga last year, leading the Packers to sign Jared Veldheer last season. Light lost his spot on the 53 to Yosh Nijman and now finds himself out of Green Bay completely.