We were slightly surprised when the Green Bay Packers released defensive lineman Josh Boyd on Monday.
The surprise stemmed from a depth perspective more so than a talent perspective. Boyd started four games for the Packers in 2014, then missed all but two because of a broken ankle in 2015.
And there’s the old injury hook.
Coach Mike McCarthy says that’s why the Packers ultimately chose to release Boyd.
#Packers coach Mike McCarthy, speaking at American Family Children's Hospital in Madison, said release of DE Josh Boyd related to injuries.
— Tom Oates (@TomOatesWSJ) May 10, 2016
Whether you choose to believe that is up to you.
Consider that this has happened before, though.
It happened with linebacker D.J. Smith, who started nine games over his first two seasons in Green Bay. Smith tore his ACL during the 2012 season and the Packers cut him the following offseason.
In hindsight, that looks like the right move. Smith appeared in just two games over the next two seasons combined.
The same thing happened with another inside linebacker at almost the same time. Desmond Bishop, who the Packers gave a four-year, $19 million deal in early 2011, tore his hamstring during the 2012 preseason. He was released in June of 2013.
Bishop tore his ACL in both 2013 and 2014. He hasn’t played since the second tear.
Two examples of talented guys who, it at least appears, suffered injuries that were worse than anyone thought or let on initially.
Boyd didn’t really have the talent or potential of either of the aforementioned players. However, there certainly could have been a place for him on the team if he proved able.
We have to believe his ankle hasn’t healed as the Packers would have liked. If these examples tell us anything, it’s that this means Boyd probably isn’t long for the NFL.