Green Bay Packers waive TE Jace Sternberger following the completion of suspension

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Green Bay Packers are waiving 2019 third-round pick Jace Sternberger. Sternberger was suspended for the first two weeks of the season due to a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. In Sternberger’s own words, he described mixing alcohol and anti-depressants in February of 2020 that led to him falling asleep behind the wheel.

Between the suspension, two concussions, an ankle injury, and a stint on the reserve/COVID list, Sternberger’s early career produced just 12 receptions, 114 receiving yards, and a touchdown before he was ultimately waived. Hopefully, Sternberger is able to overcome the negatives early on in his career and find a landing spot to showcase his talent, be it on the Packers’ practice squad or elsewhere.

Currently, Green Bay has four tight ends to lean on after this decision: Marcedes Lewis, Josiah Deguara, Dominique Dafney, and Robert Tonyan. Lewis and Dafney are blocking tight ends, with Dafney often playing a fullback role for the team. Tonyan and Deguara are the pass-catchers, with Deguara playing in the backfield at times.

Deguara missed last week’s game against the Lions due to a concussion sustained in Week 1 against the Saints, but the other three tight ends played at least 28 snaps a piece last night. The only tight end on the Packers practice squad is defensive line convert Bronson Kaufusi, a 30-year-old blocking tight end, which could leave open for the potential of Sternberger adding onto the practice squad as a pass-catching option in case of a late-season injury.

Update:

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tom Silverstein notes that the Packers want to bring Sternberger back to their practice squad, if possible.