Packers release initial 53-man roster; here's who made the final cut

1st & North podcast | Aug. 26, 2025

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GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Green Bay Packers slashed their roster to the league-mandated 53 players on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

Packers 53-man roster

What we know:

While there could be changes before the team hosts the Detroit Lions in Week 1, here's who made the final cut out of training camp.

Quarterbacks: Jordan Love, Malik Willis
Running backs: Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson, Chris Brooks
Wide receivers: Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Matthew Golden, Malik Heath, Savion Williams
Tight ends: Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, John FitzPatrick, Ben Sims
Offensive linemen: Elgton Jenkins, Aaron Banks, Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker, Sean Rhyan, Jordan Morgan, Anthony Belton, Darian Kinnard, Donovan Jennings
Defensive ends: Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Brenton Cox Jr., Barryn Sorrell
Defensive tackles: Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden, Warren Brinson, Nazir Stackhouse
Linebackers: Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty'Ron Hopper
Cornerbacks: Nate Hobbs, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Bo Melton, Kamal Hadden, Micah Robinson
Safeties: Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Zayne Anderson, Kitan Oladapo
Specialists: Brandon McManus (K), Daniel Whelan (P), Matt Orzech (LS)

The team also issued injury designations for several players:

Injured reserve: Omar Brown (S)
Injured reserve (designated for return): MarShawn Lloyd (RB), Jacob Monk (OL)
Physically unable to perform: Christian Watson (WR), John Williams (OL), Collin Oliver (DE)

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Who did the Packers cut?

What we know:

The Packers released 32 players to reach the 53-man limit.

Among those cut were wide receiver Mecole Hardman, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, and linebacker Isaiah Simmons, a former first-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals. Green Bay signed both veterans this offseason.

Mecole Hardman (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

Linebacker Kristian Welch and cornerback Corey Ballentine were also among the players released. Both defenders previously played in Green Bay and were brought back for possible second stints.

Offense: Sean Clifford (QB), Taylor Elgersma (QB), Israel Abanikanda (RB), Amar Johnson (RB), Tyrion Davis-Price (RB), Mecole Hardman (WR), Julian Hicks (WR), Cornelius Johnson (WR), Will Sheppard (WR), Isaiah Neyor (WR), Messiah Swinson (TE), Johnny Lumpkin (TE), Kadeem Telfort (OL), Trey Hill (OL), Lecitus Smith (OL), Tyler Cooper (OL), JJ Lippe (OL), Brant Banks (OL)
Defense: Aaron Mosby (DE), Deslin Alexandre (DE), James Ester (DT), Devonte O'Malley (DT), Kristian Welch (LB), Isaiah Simmons (LB), Jamon Johnson (LB), Jared Bartlett (LB), Kalen King (CB), Corey Ballentine (CB), Tyron Herring (CB), Johnathan Baldwin (S), Jaylin Simpson (S)
Special Teams: Mark McNamee (K)

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Packers practice squad

What we know:

Green Bay was able to bring back a number of the players released on Tuesday – including Hardman – signing 13 of them to the practice squad after clearing waivers.

Israel Abanikanda (RB), Deslin Alexandre (DE), Johnathan Baldwin (S), Brant Banks (OL), James Ester (DT), Mecole Hardman (WR), Jamon Johnson (LB), Mark McNaMee (K), Aaron Mosby (DE), Isaiah Naylor (WR), Will Sheppard (WR), Jaylin Simpson (DB) and Kristian Welch (LB)

McNamee is part of the NFL International Player Pathway program.

Editor's note: This story was updated with practice squad signings on Aug. 27.

The Source: FOX6 News referenced information from the Green Bay Packers for this story.

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The Brief

Packers 53-man roster

Who did the Packers cut?

Packers practice squad