The Green Bay Packers made a surprise move on the eve of their first training camp practice, releasing starting safety Charlie Peprah.
Peprah took over the starting job when Nick Collins was lost to a neck injury in week one of the 2011 season. He started in place of Morgan Burnett when the then-rookie was injured the previous season. With Collins’ Packers career over, Peprah entered 2012 as the presumptive No. 1 on the depth chart alongside Burnett.
Jason Wilde tweeted the news.
The #Packers have released safety @CharliePeprah. Peprah confirms via text message.
Peprah: “It’s tough to leave your compadres. You have a bond with those guys. Who knows? I could come back. I don’t have any grudges.”
Interestingly, Peprah was one of the unknowns we mentioned earlier today when discussing the Packers injury situation. He had knee surgery in the offseason and was held out of the team’s offseason program. He reportedly failed his physical Wednesday.
Although Peprah had his problems last season, it’s surprising the Packers released him because they don’t have any proven depth behind him.
The team will turn to M.D. Jennings, an undrafted free agent who registered seven tackles last season, and rookie fourth-round pick Jerron McMillian. Jennings ran with the No. 1 defense during minicamp and the coaching staff has raved about his improvement this offseason.
Peprah recorded 94 tackles, five interceptions and one forced fumble in 2011.