Danny

Etling

The release itself is less newsworthy than the state of the Packers’ roster left behind starter Jordan Love. Etling’s release leaves just rookie quarterback Sean Clifford and former USFL MVP Alex McGough to battle for the right to back up Love. The Packers have the cap room and time to further address the position prior to the start of the regular season, but the team could be in a state of disarray should Love go down at any point in the coming year due to the lack of depth on the roster.

“I think we’ll probably see how these guys do before we think about bringing in a veteran right away.” The Packers have Etling, a former receiver on the Patriots’ practice squad, and Clifford as their fallback options to Jordan Love’s first full season. The Packers will get a look at what they have in Clifford at OTAs before signing a veteran to back up Love.

Smith spent two weeks with the Cardinals earlier this month but was released between their first and second preseason games. The addition of Smith could mean that fourth-round rookie Kene Nwangwu’s knee injury is worse than initially thought. If Nwangwu misses time, Smith will compete for RB3 duties with Ameer Abdullah. The Vikings waived quarterback Danny Etling in a corresponding move.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. With Kirk Cousins, Kellen Mond, and Nate Stanley all on the COVID-19 list, Minnesota will have only Jake Browning, “Case Cookus”, and Etling available at practice. Cousins, perpetually adamant about avoiding the vaccine, will be out for at least 10 days.

All 11 players finished the year on Seattle’s practice squad. Outside of declining to extend an offer to WR John Ursua, the Seahawks were not able to re-sign Alex Collins since he was a veteran exception.

Teammates S Jaylinn Hawkins and LB Foye Oluokun have also been activated, leaving S Jamal Carter, DT Tyeler Davison, and FB Keith Smith on the list for Atlanta. Etling is a long shot for the final roster.

Etling spent all of two days on Atlanta’s 53-man roster last year. He’ll continue to compete at wide receiver once cleared for participation in camp.

2018 seventh-rounder Etling spent two days on the 53-man roster in 2019. He will be an offseason camp arm with a remote shot at earning No. 2 duties next summer.

Coach Dan Quinn expects Matt Ryan (ankle) to return to action following the team’s Week 9 bye.

Etling gives the Falcons insurance with Matt Ryan (ankle) questionable. Matt Schaub will start if Ryan sits.