Packers Place Saine on IR, Claim White

The Green Bay Packers have made their first move in the aftermath of Sunday’s night injury-fest in Houston.

The team announced Monday afternoon that running back Brandon Saine was being placed on season-ending injured reserve. To fill his roster spot, running back Johnny White was claimed off waivers from the Buffalo Bills.

Saine, along with at least two others, was carted off to the locker room during the second half of the Packers 42-24 win over the Texans Sunday night. It is believed that Saine tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

White (5-10, 210 lbs) is a former college teammate of tight end Ryan Taylor at the University of North Carolina. He was drafted in the fifth round (133rd overall) by the Bills in the 2011 NFL draft.

Buffalo originally let go of White during final cutdowns this August, but he was brought back when Fred Jackson suffered an early-season knee injury. He was waived again last Saturday.

In two seasons with the Bills, White ran 20 times for 74 yards and caught one pass for -3 yards. He also added five special teams tackles. He will wear No. 34 for the Packers.

When asked to give a brief scouting report, Bleacher Report lead draft writer Sigmond Bloom described White as a “rugged power runner with good burst. Think Marshawn Lynch.”

White, billed as a one-cut runner coming out of UNC, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.50 seconds at the NFL Combine in 2011. Before switching to running back in Chapel Hill, White also played cornerback and wide receiver.

Expect White to contribute in a similar role as Saine early on, mostly on special teams and as the team’s No. 3 back.

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy is addressing the media at 5:00 p.m. CT Monday. Expect more injury updates to follow.