The Green Bay Packers finished the preseason on Friday night at Lambeau Field, and now attention turns to finishing the initial 53-man roster before Sunday afternoon's cutdown. Strong performances during training camp and the preseason will create some difficult choices for Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur in creating the initial roster, which is due by 5:00 p.m. CT on Sunday.
Toughest decisions awaiting the Packers on their path to 53 players:
Does anyone go on IR?
Matt LaFleur wasn't able to confirm the injury timelines for defensive tackle Warren Brinson, receiver Savion Williams or edge rusher Collin Oliver, who were all injured within the last week and could be candidates to start the season on injured reserve. The roster math changes pretty quick if any of those
three miss the start of the season. Any player placed on IR to start the season has to miss at least the first four games.
Two or three quarterbacks?
To his credit, Kyle McCord turned this into a legitimate question over three excellent preseason games. Tyrod Taylor is going to be the backup behind Jordan Love, but are the Packers willing to risk McCord to waivers? He looks like the right long-term developmental option, and teams don't like risking good quarterbacks. But keeping three quarterbacks would be a roster luxury for a team with a settled situation at the top.
Is there a seventh wide receiver?
J. Michael Sturdivant and Will Sheppard both made terrific final arguments on Friday night, and Isaiah Neyor was one dropped touchdown pass away from doing the same. The battle between these three has been raging all summer, and now the Packers must decide: Is there room on the roster for a seventh receiver? It's possible one of the three makes it comfortably if Savion Williams goes on IR. The Packers have all the boxes checked with their top six receivers, but Sturdivant and Sheppard can both play a role on special teams. Sturdivant might be too good to risk, especially after prioritizing him as a free agent following the draft and his 112-yard performance on Friday night.
How many defensive tackles?
The Packers appear to have as many as eight or nine roster-caliber defensive tackles. Who is going to make the team out of Jonathan Ford, Anthony Campbell, Jaden Crumedy and Nazir Stackhouse? The play of Ford and Campbell might convince the Packers to keep seven, especially if Warren Brinson has to miss time to start the season. A few good players are going to get cut at this suddenly deep position group in Green Bay, although that's a good problem to have. The Packers will hope they can fill the practice squad with a few that don't make it.
Will an rookie undrafted free agent make it?
The best options are J. Michael Sturdivant and edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly, who had a standout preseason finale. Could Kelly make the team if Collin Oliver isn't ready for Week 1? He looked the part of a worthwhile developmental edge rusher. Remember, the Packers gave Kelly over $250,000 guaranteed as an undrafted free agent, so they are invested in his future in Green Bay.
Will the Packers release a draft pick?
Sixth-round pick Domani Jackson missed time during the offseason workout program and the start of training camp with a core muscle injury, and he struggled mightily in both preseason appearances. It's certainly possible the Packers will release one of their six draft picks in the 2026 class. It's also possible the Packers are willing to work through the early issues and keep him on the 53 as a long-term developmental project. While Jackson struggled, his fellow sixth-round pick -- Trey Smack -- is in no roster danger after a perfect preseason.
Is Darian Kinnard going to make the team?
It was certainly eyebrow raising to see Kinnard -- one of the team's top backup offensive linemen last season -- repping with the third-team offensive line deep into the second half on Friday night. Do the Packers consider him one of their top 10 offensive linemen entering 2026? It doesn't appear so. Kinnard struggled in the preseason finale, giving up a sack and committing a holding penalty over just 18 snaps. He looks like he's on the way out, even though the Packers are lacking in backup offensive tackle options.
Light at tight end and safety?
The Packers will eventually add Jonnu Smith at tight end, but with Luke Musgrave likely headed for the PUP list, the position is thin entering final cuts. It's possible the Packers will only keep two or three on the initial 53. Neither Drake Dabney nor Messiah Swinson rose up and took the opportunity this summer. At safety, the Packers have four roster locks, but it's still a thin position considering Javon Bullard mostly plays in the slot. Mark Perry is a candidate to be the fifth safety, but the Packers do not have to keep a fifth. Tight end, safety, cornerback and offensive line are positions where the Packers could add after final cuts.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: 8 toughest decisions facing Packers in creating initial 53-man roster
