Packers Place Martin On I.R., Promote Francois

Safety Derrick Martin has been placed on season-ending injured reserve while linebacker Robert Francois has been promoted from the practice squad to take his place on the 53-man roster.

The Green Bay Packers have placed safety Derrick Martin on injured reserve, ending his season.

Taking his spot on the 53-man roster is Robert Francois who was promoted from the practice squad.

Martin, also one of the best special teams players on the Packers, injured his knee in the last game against Washington. His loss leaves the Packers thin at safety.

It was thought the Packers may promote rookie safety Anthony Levine from the practice squad, but the team appears to be okay with waiting Atari Bigby who's eligible to come of the Physically Unable to Perform list next week.

For the moment being the Packers have Nick Collins and Charlie Peprah as the starting safeties with converted cornerback Jarrett Bush as the primary backup.

Francois has experience at both inside linebacker and outside linebacker, although his elevation to 53-man roster could be considered as insurance against the possible absence of Pro Bowl linebacker Clay Matthews this Sunday for the game against the Miami Dolphins and possibly longer.

Classified as a first-year player, Francois spent the final four weeks of the '09 regular season and the playoffs on the practice squad of the Packers last season. He also has been on their practice squad for four out of the five 2010 regular season games.

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Comments (13)

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Bogmon's picture

October 13, 2010 at 10:33 am

It looks like the return of Al and Atari will come just in time...
Although neither of them will be in 'game' shape, but at least it's a warm body to stick out on the field.

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alfredomartinez's picture

October 13, 2010 at 10:36 am

we need to bring mel gibson and julia roberts for this one, there is definetly a CONSPIRACY THEORY sorrunding the packers org. and i believe the mastermind behind it is none other than one jarett bush...

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davyjones's picture

October 13, 2010 at 10:37 am

The sheer numbers game is quite a puzzle on special teams. If you have 40 healthy guys on the sideline and 22 are starters, it just doesn't leave much of a pool from which to draw on the various ST units. We sort of sucked to begin with in this area. Bound to get uglier.

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stevelknievel's picture

October 13, 2010 at 10:38 am

I think Francois was the one who returned Zombo's sack/fumble of Payton in preseason, wasn't he?

Dude looked decent then. Hope he can contribute if called upon now.

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keeley2's picture

October 13, 2010 at 10:40 am

Vikings sign Frank Walker - just in time for the showdown next week.

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ZeroTolerance's picture

October 13, 2010 at 10:52 am

Seems the team is more concerned with LB than S (bringing up both Simpkins and Francois, both LB). Even with Bush sliding from CB to S, there are only 3 now on the roster (Collins, Peprah, and Bush). My take is that the team must feel good about Bigby's return.

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Andrew In Atlanta's picture

October 13, 2010 at 11:08 am

I see the Bucs released Chris Bryan. It appears we kept the right punter who, after a slow start, seems to be settling in

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Bad Knees's picture

October 13, 2010 at 11:32 am

The most important group during the season is the medical staff (injured players do not win games). If they are doing their job preventable injuries should not occur. Preventable injuries are injuries that occur doing typical activities such as running, jumping, cutting, blocking, pass rushing, weight training. Non-preventable injuries are injuries that occur from unusual activities. Grant's ankle, Harrell's knee, Rodgers whiplash concussion are examples of non-preventable injuries.

We are starting to see too many preventable injuries on this team. Management should investigate why this is happening. Where is the breakdown in the medical staff. How can it be improved? With a long 16 game season these are important question that must be answered. Unhealthy/depleated teams do not win in the playoffs.

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hyperRevue's picture

October 13, 2010 at 11:34 am

I disagree. Fluky injuries happen.

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lars's picture

October 13, 2010 at 12:16 pm

Let's not hear any more about Justin Harrell. That was totally a "preventable" injury---as he shouldn't have been on the roster in the first place. He will have missed 47.5 out of a possible 48 games the past three seasons. Think about that. That "injury" is on Thompson/his ego. Harrell should have been released long ago.

The others---don't scapegoat the training staff.

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zub_a_dub's picture

October 13, 2010 at 12:35 pm

I have come to grips with the football gods, I will stop thinking about the playoffs and super bowl chances as long as we sweep the vikings this year.

Please, just let the Packers keep enough players to beat the vikings, please.

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Jordan's picture

October 13, 2010 at 12:51 pm

Don't forget, once we get Al Harris, Sam Shields, and B. Underwood back, we'll have a fairly deep and talented cornerback position. Perhaps, Woodson's talents may be best served filling in at safety for a bit. Much more of a roaming Polomalu-esque style. Then we'd have probably the best two safties in the league, with a pretty decent crop of CB's

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bomdad's picture

October 13, 2010 at 07:17 pm

The Packers can have two safeties on the field and Woodson will still rush the passer, tackle runners, and cover TEs. Position irrelevant.

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