It’s somewhat surprising it ended like this, but the Green Bay Packers have released cornerback Al Harris, a move first reported by Jason Wilde.
Harris, who suffered a major knee injury last November, has been on the physically unable to perform list throughout the season. The Packers had to make a decision on whether to add him to the active roster, release him or put him on injured reserve, today, after he practiced with the team the past three weeks.
Apparently, the Packers don’t feel Harris was ready to play and didn’t want to pay his salary, either, so they released the soon-to-be 36-year-old.
“Yes, that is what they are going to do,” Harris said in a text message late Sunday night. “I lost my job to injury, but I have only good things to say about Green Bay and everyone I worked with.”
Frankly, it is a bit disappointing to see Harris’ time with the Packers come to an end, particularly after watching the guy go through a tortuous offseason rehabilitation program in an effort to get back on the field.
However, the Packers are solid at cornerback. Tramon Williams has played at a high level, this season, in Harris’ absence. Rookie Sam Shields has played well as the nickel back and has the potential to be a future star. Charles Woodson, while not playing at the level he did last season, is still a game changer. Hell, even Jarrett Bush has played well, this season.
Unfortunately for Harris, the Packers don’t need him at this juncture.
Harris played seven seasons for the Packers and was a two-time Pro Bowler.
We’ll always remember this one.
Al Motherfuckin’ Harris!
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Vikings will scoop him up. Just because.
Haha yeah, and then Childress will can him after two games and a couple draft picks
A good Packer, and a good player. The Packers paid him well to rehab his knee and did right by him. He’ll likely catch on somewhere and play one more year after this one.
im gonna miss harris :( haha, love it when he made hasselbeck look like a fuckin fool. i saw that game… playoffs… gotta love it.
thanks for the memories…. Al Harris 31 the Dirty One…. we will always “Fear the Dreads”
A sad day.
Al played great for this team and he will be missed.
a truly awesome player.. i am saddened to hear this news. ill never forget that game vs. seattle.. love ya big al… best of luck
No surprise since he hadn’t been activated by now. I’m sure he isn’t fully recovered yet, and he wasn’t the quickest guy in the world in the first place. Sam Shields has played too well to bench. Al Harris makes too much to be a dime back. This was a business decision, which TT never hesitates to make.
Props to Al and all he’s done for the Packers. He will always be a Packer.
I was at that game. January 2004 wild card playoff game at lambeau, when the Queens lost to Arizona to get us there. I just returned from Afghanistan and I froze my ass off, but it was worth it. We boo’d the shit out of Hasselback when he opened his stupid mouth. I will never forget watching Al run down the field on that pick six. Top 5 in great Packer moments. Thanks Al, and we’ll miss you. Unlike Favre you are classy!
Bummer
This just in:
Al Harris is a Miami Dolphin.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5787349