Michael

Montgomery

The defensive end out of Texas A&M had 78 tackles, six sacks, 12 tackles for loss and one interception last season, when he earned first-team All-Big 12 honors.

Montgomery, the Packers’ No. 4 defensive end, has been out since spraining his MCL and getting surgery in the preseason. He could be active for Week 8.

Montgomery, Green Bay’s No. 4 end, has a history of knee problems. It will be interesting to see if the Packers keep him around. Montgomery is a sound reserve, but the Packers have depth at end with Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila coming off the bench and Corey Williams also able to play the position.

GM Ted Thompson was impressed by Montgomery’s performance: “He just has a knack. He knows how to play the game.” Montgomery was getting a majority of the reps by the second half and may have jumped back ahead of Jeremy Thompson on the team’s depth chart.

They’ll go with rookie Jeremy Thompson and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila across from Seahawks LT Walter Jones. FOXSports’ John Czarnecki says Seattle wants to run Julius Jones to the weak side to exploit this matchup. Montgomery was filling in for Cullen Jenkins. Green Bay’s run defense continues to be a problem.

The Packers will keep Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila in his third-down rushing role. Montgomery isn’t much of a pocket pusher. It’s a significant downgrade.

Pickett is expected to be a game-time decision, but Montgomery and Hunter are unlikely to play. A depleted Packers defense shouldn’t pose much of a problem for Dominic Rhodes Sunday.

Montgomery, 26, couldn’t get on the field in the first year of Green Bay’s 3-4 defense, even falling behind sixth-round rookie Jairus Wynn on the depth chart. Also injury prone, Montgomery will find slim pickings in free agency.