Packers Release Bo Melton, James Robinson; Eric Stokes Designated For Return
GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers have released running back James Robinson and receiver Bo Melton, just a handful of days after adding them to the 53-man roster for the Thanksgiving victory over the Detroit Lions.
Both players were signed to the 53 because of injuries, with receiver Dontayvion Wicks inactive with a concussion and running backs Aaron Jones (inactive) and Emanuel Wilson (injured reserve) out with knee and shoulder injuries, respectively.
Against the Lions, Robinson did not play and Melton played two snaps at receiver and six snaps on special teams.
When the Packers hit the practice field on an icy-cold Monday following a three-day weekend, they had only veteran Patrick Taylor and practice-squad rookie Ellis Merriweather at running back. AJ Dillon, who was the lead back against Detroit, was in the back of the Hutson Center pedaling an exercise bike when everyone else ran out for practice.
With the release of Robinson, does that mean Jones could be back in the lineup for Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs?
“I think we’re a long way from that coming to fruition,” coach Matt LaFleur said.
At receiver, Wicks was back at practice and is out of the concussion protocol. The impressive fifth-round pick is fifth on the team with 20 receptions and 331 receiving yards and second with a 16.6-yard average.
In his place, undrafted rookie Malik Heath played only 11 snaps but caught four passes for 46 yards.
Cornerback Jaire Alexander (shoulder), linebacker De’Vondre Campbell (stinger) and safety Rudy Ford (biceps), three starters who were inactive against the Lions, returned to practice.
Also back was cornerback Eric Stokes, who has been designated for return from injured reserve following the hamstring injury that cut short his season debut against Denver and sent him back to injured reserve.
“You'd be crazy to ignore any of the past, but I know he's feeling really confident right now and really good; otherwise, we wouldn't have taken him off [injured reserve],” LaFleur said. “It's great to have him out there. Even throughout all this, he's maintained a great attitude and he's a great teammate, so it's great to have him back out there.”
With the releases of Melton and Robinson, the Packers have 51 players on their roster. Adding safety Darnell Savage off injured reserve – he was designated for return last week – would fill one of those openings.
