The Green Bay Packers have released their initial 53-man roster for the 2024 NFL season. While this is a celebratory moment for many players and many more fans, it is also a disappointing day for the hundreds of players that were told that they are no longer employed today. It is easy to forget that the average career length of an NFL player is only three years due to the cutthroat competition and various injuries.
Green Bay’s initial 53-man roster is a sobering reminder that, sometimes, a season and/or a career can be cut short in the blink of an eye.
Green Bay Packers Running Back AJ Dillon Was Placed on Season-Ending Injured Reserve
According to the team’s website and insider Wes Hodkiewicz, running back AJ Dillon is not going to play at all in 2024 after being placed on season-ending injured reserve (IR). He suffered a neck injury during training camp and was unable to play in Green Bay’s final two preseason games:
Of course, Packers fans know all-too well how neck injuries can ruin the careers of their favorite players. Sterling Sharpe, Nick Collins, and JerMichael Finley were all fan-favorites whose careers were cut short.
That being said, there is no indication that Dillon’s career is over; just that he is out for the year. Neck injuries are both tricky and scary, though. After turning down more money from other teams to stay with Green Bay, there is no telling what his future will be or if it will be with the Packers.
In addition to Dillon, tight end Tyler Davis was placed on season-ending IR. Defensive lineman Jonathan Ford was placed on IR as well but designated to return.
The rest of the Packers 53-man roster is as follows:
Quarterback (2)
- Jordan Love
- Malik Willis
Running Back (3)
- Josh Jacobs
- Emanuel Wilson
- Marshawn Lloyd
Wide Receiver (6)
- Christian Watson
- Romeo Doubs
- Jayden Reed
- Dontayvion Wicks
- Bo Melton
- Malik Heath
Tight End (3)
- Luke Musgrave
- Tucker Kraft
- Ben Sims
Offensive Linemen (10)
- Zach Tom
- Rasheed Walker
- Elgton Jenkins
- Josh Myers
- Sean Rhyan
- Jordan Morgan
- Travis Glover
- Andre Dillard
- Jacob Monk
- Kadeem Telfort
Defensive Linemen (11)
- Rashan Gary
- Lukas Van Ness
- Preston Smith
- Kingsley Enagbare
- Brenton Cox Jr.
- Arron Mosby
- Kenny Clark
- Devonte Wyatt
- TJ Slaton
- Colby Wooden
- Karl Brooks
Linebacker (5)
- Quay Walker
- Edgerrin Cooper
- Ty-Ron Hopper
- Isaiah McDuffie
- Eric Wilson
Cornerback (5)
- Jaire Alexander
- Eric Stokes
- Carrington Valentine
- Keisean Nixon
- Corey Ballentine
Safety (5)
- Xavier McKinney
- Javon Bullard
- Evan Smith
- Kitan Oladapo
- Zayne Anderson
Specialists
- Dan Wheelan (punter)
- Greg Joseph (kicker)
- Matt Orzech (long snapper)
This is the first year since 2004 that the Packers did not carry a new undrafted free agent onto their 53-man roster. Last year, they kept four (Heath, Wilson, Cox, and Sims).
Michael Pratt and Kalen King, both seventh-round picks, were the only players from Green Bay’s 2024 NFL Draft class that did not make the team (the Packers had 11 total picks).
