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In a corresponding roster move to the signing of running back Tyrion Davis-Price, the Green Bay Packers have announced that they have released rookie running back Jalen White. White, a former two-time all-conference player at Georgia Southern, was signed by the Packers as an undrafted free agent back in April.
In the preseason opener against the New York Jets, White was the team’s primary personal protector on the punt team with the first unit, as starter Zayne Anderson was reserved for his role on defense — starting in place of the injured Xavier McKinney. With White out, Anderson now injured and safety Evan Williams — who got two snaps at the position last regular season — unlikely to play this week against the Indianapolis Colts, it’s up for debate who will get those looks on Saturday. Head coach Matt LaFleur stated that the starters are not expected to play against Indianapolis, as the teams are going to have joint practices together on Thursday.
One player who got “backup” snaps at personal protector last week against the Jets is fellow rookie running back Amar Johnson, who had the most yardage of any Packers skill player against New York. Someone’s misfortune in the NFL is someone else’s big break. With the running back room banged up and White opening up space on special teams, maybe Johnson can step up in the void.
White was waived with an injury designation, which means that if he goes unclaimed on waivers, he will revert to the Packers’ injured reserve. That will likely happen, leading to an injury settlement where Green Bay will pay for the time it takes for him to recover but not his full season’s salary.
Update: The Packers have also waived cornerback Isaiah Dunn with an injury designation. The team now has one open roster spot available on its offseason roster. Dunn struggled in garbage time of the preseason opener and went down with a non-contract injury on Monday. Dunn signed with Green Bay as a reserves/future player in January, but was out of football entirely for the 2024 season. Prior to that, Dunn had spent the first three years of his NFL career with the Jets, Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers.
