Charlie

Peprah

An undrafted rookie cornerback, Kevin Dockery of Mississippi State, has made the team. Peprah was a fifth-round pick and is thought to be headed for the practice squad, as is Johnson.

A tough break after an initial CT scan of Collins’ neck came back negative. Any time a neck injury is serious enough to end a player’s season, it has to also be considered career threatening. A Pro Bowler three years running and one of the NFL’s more underrated ball hawks, Collins will be nearly impossible to replace. It’s a huge blow for a Packers’ pass defense that’s been torched in each of its first two games. Charlie Peprah is first up to replace Collins in the starting lineup, likely at strong safety with Morgan Burnett at free.

Undrafted out of Arkansas State, Jennings played 15 games as a core special teamer last season. “I think (Jennings) has made real progress from the first year,” said DC Dom Capers. “He’s bigger and stronger. He’s all business.” Jennings has shown impressive instincts and ball skills in practice. He’ll have to overtake Charlie Peprah and hold off rookie Jerron McMillian for the starting job opposite Morgan Burnett.

Peprah received a $50,000 workout bonus in the spring and was due only $1 million in base salary. The move is a big surprise on the first day of training camp, although Peprah missed all of OTA season with knee woes and might not have been healthy. A 14-game starter in 2011, Peprah intercepted five passes and recorded 94 tackles. The Packers may turn to M.D. Jennings at strong safety, assuming they don’t just move Charles Woodson there full time.

Peprah should be back in plenty of time for training camp. M.D. Jennings, who came out of nowhere to make the roster as an undrafted rookie last season, displayed good range while filling in on Tuesday. While Peprah remains the favorite to start, Jennings and rookie Jerron McMillian could push him by the end of the season.

Peprah was released by the Packers on the first day of camp after failing his physical, but must be close to full health after appearing in all 16 games last season. The Bears are hurting for safety depth after Chris Conte and rookie Brandon Hardin both went down in last week’s game against the Redskins.

Peprah has been out of the league since being released by the Packers for failing his physical on the first day of training camp. If his knees are now healthy, Peprah can provide experienced depth at a position of need in Dallas. Rookie Matt Johnson (hamstring) could be headed to injured reserve.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette suggests Manuel will be gone “barring a collapse by [Atari] Bigby or inept performances by [Tyrone] Culver and [Charlie] Peprah” in Thursday night’s final preseason game.

With plenty of depth at safety, the Packers had no use for an injured fringe player.

Green Bay kept Jarrett Bush, Derrick Martin, and Aaron Rouse behind top safeties Nick Collins and Atari Bigby. Peprah was on the outside looking in.