M.D.

Jennings

When the Packers played nickel defense, M.D. Jennings entered the lineup at safety and Woodson dropped down to cover the slot receiver. Woodson has been amenable to the position switch, and Charlie Peprah’s Wednesday release opened up strong safety for the 35-year-old to take over. Woodson will continue to play all over the formation, but he’ll see lots more safety snaps in 2012.

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 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.

Jennings was picking up extra playing time versus the Saints’ three-wide sets. He’s questionable to return, pending the X-ray results.

As has reserve S M.D. Jennings (shoulder). House is now on track to make his 2012 debut Sunday, but won’t be any higher than third on the depth chart.

McMillian replaced M.D. Jennings as the nickel safety after the season opener. His 6.69 -second three-cone agility run was tops among safeties at the NFL Combine, and the coaches love his short-area quickness as well as his football IQ. According to Pro Football Focus, McMillian has been an asset in both run defense and coverage.

One of the three will likely be the starter next to Morgan Burnett in 2013. After Charles Woodson was injured last season, Jennings stepped into the lineup and started ten games, racking up 52 tackles, two pass breakups, and an interception. Richardson spent much of the year on injured reserve with a neck injury, and McMillian was the No. 3 safety for most of the season.

Jennings walked on at Arkansas State at a skinny 160 pounds, and he entered the NFL at 187. He “redshirted” as a rookie in 2011 before starting ten games in 2012, racking up 52 tackles. Jennings is bulking up in an effort to win the starting job next to Morgan Burnett. He’s the slight favorite over Jerron McMillian.

Green Bay released Charles Woodson, and has since added nobody to the group. The Packers passed on Matt Elam and Johnathan Cyprien to take DE Datone Jones at No. 26 in the draft. Jennings started ten games last season, recording 52 tackles and an interception. He looks like the favorite.

Jennings and Jerron McMillian were competing for the job all summer and preseason long. Jennings started three of the four preseason games, while McMillian started once. Jennings was always considered the slight favorite after starting ten games last season. He’s replacing Charles Woodson.