ASHWAUBENON, WI – AUGUST 05: A Packers helmet sits on the field during Green Bay Packers Family Night at Lambeau Field, on August 5, 2022 in Green Bay, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Green Bay Packers announced two player releases on Tuesday afternoon, including a recent third -round draft pick.
Wide receiver Amari Rodgers, the Packers’ 2021 third-round selection, and running back Kylin Hill were released two days after the team’s thrilling comeback victory over the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field.
Rodgers’ release can’t be considered that much of a surprise. He fumbled a punt return in the third quarter of Sunday’s game, and it led to a Tony Pollard go-ahead rushing touchdown. It was Rodgers’ fifth fumble of the season.
The Packers drafted Rodgers in the third round, 85th overall, in 2021. The Clemson product was coming off a superb final season of college, racking up 77 catches for 1,020 yards and seven touchdowns as Trevor Lawrence’s go-to pass-catcher.
Green Bay had hoped that Rodgers would grow into a quality No. 2 receiver to complement superstar Davante Adams, but the former had just four receptions for 45 yards on the season. He was mostly used as a kick returner/punt returner, finishing with 421 all-purpose yards in his rookie year.
The Packers traded Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders in the offseason for 2022 first and second-round picks, opening the door for Rodgers to enjoy a bigger role in the offense. But Matt LaFleur and company once again mostly used Rodgers as a special teams player, and the lack of ball security was too much of an issue which ultimately led to his release.
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Green Bay’s overtime win over Dallas snapped a five-game losing streak, and they moved to 4-6 on the season. The Packers will try to continue the momentum when they host Derrick Henry and the AFC South-leading Tennessee Titans on Thursday Night Football.
After that, the Packers will travel to Lincoln Financial Field for a showdown with the NFL’s top team in the Philadelphia Eagles.
