The Green Bay Packers are looking for a pass catcher following Monday’s news that receiver Brett Swain will have season-ending knee surgery and tight end Jermichael Finley will miss the Minnesota Vikings game with a knee sprain.
With receiver Jordy Nelson out a couple more weeks with a knee sprain, that leaves the Packers with just five healthy pass catchers heading into this weekend’s game against the Vikings.
“We’ll acquire another receiver definitely,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “We’re working through right now. Personnel department is looking at their options. We’ll probably make a decision in the next 24 hours.”
One option is promoting wideout Jake Allen from the practice squad, something McCarthy called “a definite possibility.”
Allen was a member of the Packers practice squad last season after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi College, a division 3 school.
Allen only caught two passes for 18 yards in the preseason, but knows the Packers playbook and wouldn’t need to be brought up to speed like someone from outside the organization. That’s important, given the Packers need someone to play this week.
There’s also a chance Ted Thompson give someone like Antonio Freeman or Bill Schroeder a call. You know, keep the whole “retro Packers” vibe going after signing 32-year-old former Packers running back Ahman Green, last week.
Even though there are some recognizable names on the free agent market (like Joey Galloway, who was released by New England last week), Allen is the most realistic option. Whether his impact is greater than spelling the Packers top three receivers is the real question.
Update: Here’s a list of some of the free agent receivers with NFL experience
- Joey Galloway
- Keary Colbert
- Ronald Curry
- Drew Bennett
- Robert Ferguson
- D.J. Hackett
- Chad Jackson
- Ashley Lelie
- Dane Looker
- David Patten
- Amani Toomer
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It will come down to special teams again. Jake Allen makes the most sense if he is also a capable special teamer. No way will TT pick up Joey Galloway or Marvin Harrison – is there a list of who’s available?
I’d guess that Ted will call Bill Schroeder. With Jordy out, we’re short our dorky looking white guy receiver.