The Green Bay Packers Sign Former Buffalo Bills Tight End Prior To Kansas City Chiefs Matchup (Breaking)
The Green Bay Packers are preparing for a playoff push in 2023. That statement was a complete afterthought just a few weeks ago. However, after a couple wins coupled with numerous losses around the league has thrust the Green Bay into the thick of the NFC playoff conversation.
Packers’s starting tight end Luke Musgrave went down with a fairly significant injury against the Los Angeles Chargers. It was even reported that Musgrave could miss the rest of the season. In the wake of Musgrave’s injury news, the Packers decided to add a 23-year-old tight end to their roster.
The Green Bay Packers Sign 23-Year-Old Tight End Joel Wilson Prior To Matchup With The Kansas City Chiefs
According to the Green Bay Packers:
The Green Bay Packers signed TE Joel Wilson to the practice squad and released CB Anthony Johnson from the practice squad. The transactions were announced Tuesday by General Manager Brian Gutekunst.
Wilson (6-4, 242), a rookie out of Central Michigan, was originally signed as an un-drafted free agent by the Buffalo Bills in May and spent the first nine weeks of the season on their practice squad.
He appeared in 34 games with 23 starts in college, recording 82 receptions for 874 yards (10.7 avg.) and 12 touchdowns. In 2022, Wilson led CMU in both TD receptions (six) and receiving yards per game (49.4 avg.) while finishing second on the team in receptions (44) and receiving yards (445). He was selected third-team All-Mid-American Conference by Phil Steele’s College Football in 2022. Wilson will wear No. 82 for the Packers.
What Does This Mean For The Packers Going Forward
If activated on game day, Wilson will likely provide special teams depth in their matchup against the Chiefs. Packers’ rookie tight end Tucker Kraft had a few impressive plays against the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions. They will likely role with him as their TE1 until Musgrave comes back from his injury.
Tight Ends coach John Dunn had this to say about Kraft following the victory over the Chargers:
That was an impressive play. He’s a very strong player, whether that’s strong hands, in the run game blocking. He’s got really good body movement, really good body control, and he really is a strong, thick player. That’s something that’s benefited him certainly. As technique comes along with that, it can enhance and bring out your strengths as well.
He has a love for the game, and you see it in that play. I know that sounds weird because he catches the ball and he hurdles a guy. But (it shows) just more his mentality of the way he plays the game. He attacks the game, whether he’s blocking, catching, running, it doesn’t matter.
