After Matt Orzech’s poor snap almost ruined the Green Bay Packers’ game-winning field goal in Week 7’s victory against the Houston Texans, the long snapper was cut from the 53-man roster, albeit the move is probably temporary.
The Packers made two roster changes on Tuesday in preparation for Week 8: they activated defensive tackle Jonathan Ford off injured reserve and removed Orzech from their active roster, per the team’s October 21 transaction wire.
In the closing seconds of the Packers’ 24–22 victory over the Texans, new kicker Brandon McManus tried to boot through a 45-yard field goal, but Orzech had thrown a low snap to punter/holder Dan Whelan. It was a horrible moment for Orzech, but Whelan managed to catch the low snap and get the ball down before McManus could play the hero.
As Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber reported, though, the Packers did not release Orzech in response to his low snap against the Texans but rather as a procedural move related to Ford’s return to the 53-man roster. Ford’s 21-day practice window, which the Packers formally opened on October 2, had come to a conclusion. The Packers had to decide whether to activate him to the 53-man roster or place him on the injured reserve list for the remainder of 2024.
Huber claims that the Packers would “presumably” make a number of other roster changes in response to Monday’s actions, which will put Orzech back on the 53-man roster and waive Ford, with the intention of re-signing him to the practice squad after/if he clears waivers. However, as of Tuesday, October 22, the Packers had yet to take any such action.
In Week 8, the Packers (5-2) will play the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) at Lambeau Field on Sunday, October 27 at 1 p.m. Eastern time.
Leave a Reply