Earlier this week, the Green Bay Packers made a notable move by elevating Marshawn Lloyd to their 53-man roster. Lloyd, who had been sidelined since Week Two due to an ankle injury, recently had his practice window opened. The decision came just before the Packers’ thrilling victory over the Chicago Bears.
The move was unexpected, especially since the rookie running back underwent emergency surgery to remove his appendix just days earlier.
While Lloyd’s appendectomy was unavoidable, the timing created a challenging situation for Green Bay. Since they had already activated his 21-day practice window, the Packers couldn’t place him back on injured reserve without ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
To navigate the situation, the Packers devised a creative solution. By adding Lloyd to the 53-man roster, they ensured he remained eligible to return later in the season while avoiding the restrictions of placing him back on injured reserve.
The Green Bay Packers Placed Marshawn Lloyd on the Non-Football Injury List
Rather than placing their rookie running back on season-ending injured reserve, the Packers opted to move him to the 53-man roster, as previously noted.
This decision enabled Green Bay to place Lloyd on the non-football injury (NFI) list, as appendicitis is considered a non-football-related condition.
Although this move ensures Lloyd will miss the next few games as he recovers from surgery, it also keeps the door open for his return to the team and the active roster later in the season.
With Lloyd technically on the practice squad while recovering from his ankle injury, his move created an open spot. The Packers seized the opportunity to bring back a familiar face to fill the vacancy.
The Green Bay Packers Re-Signed Quarterback Turned Wide Receiver Alex McGough
With Lloyd now on the NFL roster, the Packers took the opportunity to re-sign former quarterback/wide receiver Alex McGough.
McGough was initially signed by the Packers in the summer of 2023, ahead of training camp. The former UFL MVP was waived when the roster was cut down to 53 players but was swiftly re-signed and added to the practice squad.
McGough made headlines late last season for his play on the practice squad. As a versatile player with skills as a pass catcher, he frequently ran routes against the Packers’ starting defense. One notable incident occurred when a collision with star cornerback Jaire Alexander led to an injury that kept the two-time Pro Bowler sidelined for a period.
This offseason, Green Bay approached McGough about switching positions from quarterback to wide receiver, and he agreed to the change.
However, an injury during team activities hindered McGough’s ability to fully participate, leading to his release with an injury settlement.
Now, McGough is back in Green Bay, at least for the moment.
