Packers Reportedly Claim WR Chris Harper on Waivers
The San Francisco 49ers placed the wide receiver on waivers earlier this week.
The Green Bay Packers reportedly claimed wide receiver Chris Harper on waivers on Friday, according to Bill Williamson of ESPN:
#49ers According to source WR Chris Harper claimed by #Packers
— Bill Williamson (@BWilliamsonESPN) October 18, 2013
Harper was a fourth-round draft choice of the Seattle Seahawks this past April but released on the team's final cutdown at the end of training camp in early September, making him one of the highest draft choices not to make a roster.
Not long after being cut by the Seahawks, he was signed by the San Francisco 49ers but had not played in a game before being waived on Thursday.
Per the Sacramento Bee, the 49ers had planned to use Harper in a tight end/H-back role as a player who measures in at 6-1, 228 lbs.
Originally enrolled at Oregon, Harper later transferred to Kansas State where he caught 122 passes for 1,725 yards and 12 touchdowns in three seasons there.
Perhaps the claiming of Harper means wide receiver James Jones is out at least this week and perhaps longer than the organization had hoped, but the odds of Harper being ready for this weekend's game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday are long.
The Packers would have to make a corresponding roster move in order to add Harper. One option would be to release running back Michael Hill, who plays at a position where the Packers have sufficient depth, especially if James Starks returns from a knee injury soon.
UPDATE:
Packers waived RB Michael Hill to add WR Chris Harper
— Brian McIntyre (@brian_mcintyre) October 18, 2013
Hill still has practice-squad eligibility. After Sunday's game, it's very possible––and perhaps likely––the Packers add him to the practice squad once again.
Comments (81)
October 18, 2013 at 03:51 pm
I like it - I was high on Harper's potential before the draft. I hope that this means the end of Bush, for two reasons:
1) House, Banjo and Nixon have covered and (considering Bush's poor 2012) outperformed Bush on STs and provide younger and MUCH cheaper options to Bush.
2) Starks could be back soon which is a great sign. But we've already seen this team get screwed by going into a game with just 2 RBs. Starks is, sadly, always one play from another multi-week injury, Lacy is very consistent but has been nicked up a lot in the past and, though he didn't miss many games in college, we need him fresh in the postseason. Franklin should get some snaps, but he's not built as big as Lacy or Starks and is exposed on KOR as well. Hill has been pretty good as the blocking back on the return teams and serves as an emergency RB
October 18, 2013 at 04:08 pm
Don't love the idea of claiming a WR off a team with perhaps the thinnest WR group in the league, but I do like his draft scouting report.
October 18, 2013 at 04:10 pm
To be fair, he was only there since roster cutdowns at the end of preseason, so he was behind the 8-ball in terms of learning the playbook. Plus SF is expecting Manningham back this week or so and Crabtree in another few weeks.
October 18, 2013 at 04:16 pm
That's a good call on Mario and Crab coming back soon.
October 18, 2013 at 05:02 pm
yup. that is what i was going to say. With Crabtree and manningham coming back.
October 18, 2013 at 04:18 pm
I too thought Harper was an interesting prospect pre-draft, and I'm kinda geeked that he's wound up in the Green and Gold after all this time. Go Chris! :)
October 18, 2013 at 04:18 pm
My guess is that Harper is a healthy body to rent for awhile. If he didn't stick with the receiver desparate 49ers I am not expecting much.
October 18, 2013 at 04:43 pm
The signed him to a 3 year deal, with bonuses
October 18, 2013 at 06:49 pm
I thought they just assumed his existing contract. Did they really sign him to a new deal? That's not very Ted-like.
October 19, 2013 at 01:36 pm
He's actually done it before... WHen a guy he likes becomes available, especially one he might have considered drafting. He's given this type of contract to a couple other guys in similar situations. I don't remember who they were or if they're still w/ the Packers but I remember a couple other 3 yr deals for similar FA that were released by the teams that drafted them. This way he get to develop him, like he was his own draft pick.
October 19, 2013 at 08:35 am
I don't think it is so much a healthy body. I think it is just a case of the Packers liking him coming out and this is a chance to give him a tryout. The chances of him helping the Packers this year are pretty slim.
October 18, 2013 at 04:30 pm
With Jordy double covered all game long by the Brownies, AR gets to turn to Boykin, White and now some dude called Harper.
AR will be popping zantac all weekend to deal with this. Can Lacy carry the ball 30+?
October 18, 2013 at 04:32 pm
Probably not but I bet he n Franklin can...
October 18, 2013 at 04:39 pm
There is a guy named Finley that can catch passes too.
October 19, 2013 at 05:20 pm
This would have been hysterical a couple years ago
October 18, 2013 at 04:45 pm
senior bowl practice week,harper def looked like a packeresque type. he ran nice routes,decent hands,looked solid but probably lacks extra gear.nobody knows but probably will challange boykin and white to maintain roster spot.and as i said......no way ted goes with a vet thats played outside the organization to help out. breaston, Lloyd, laurent robinson and so on FORGET ABOUT IT!!(jersey accent)
October 18, 2013 at 04:47 pm
VERY high on this kid before the draft. I think he starts over Boykin at some point this season. Can you imagine Rodgers with an Anquan Boldin-type player? Rodgers is actually guna throw for 3-4 touchdowns this week and the play action should work better than it has all season. This game will be more lopsided than people think
October 18, 2013 at 04:48 pm
From the stuff I just read and watched ...I like this guy. Big dude....good hands...4.4 speed....used to play qb ....welcome to the team bud.
October 18, 2013 at 05:01 pm
I still wanted King. Why would u go sit in Denver when u can play in GB
October 19, 2013 at 12:09 am
I don't know, but Peyton Manning is also a really good QB.
October 18, 2013 at 05:07 pm
was rated higher than kenny stills,josh boyce and tavaris king ...so says draft scout.com,whatever thats worth,but that syte is pretty interesting. i like the anquan boldin comparison,20 reps and strong hands,4.5flat 40.if ted signed him for 3 yrs,hes got a plan for him
October 18, 2013 at 06:09 pm
Update: maybe Starks is real close? I hope. Hill will be on GB PSquad as soon as he clears waivers. Tinkerin Ted likes Harper a lot.
October 18, 2013 at 06:21 pm
Didn't really like him pre-draft, so I wasn't surprised when he was released...twice. I just don't see anything that he does that looks special, or even very good.
Don't mind the move all things considered, but will be surprised if he amounts to much as a WR. Hope I'm wrong, or maybe a position change works out.
October 18, 2013 at 06:23 pm
It tells me one thing: Miles White can't cut it.
October 18, 2013 at 07:15 pm
I think it tells us that Jones is out for a few weeks.
October 18, 2013 at 07:59 pm
This signing has nothing to do with Myles White
October 18, 2013 at 06:51 pm
Wait, I thought Schneider was infallible...?
October 18, 2013 at 07:54 pm
Pat Harrington played Schneider
October 18, 2013 at 09:18 pm
Ha ha, I get that one!
October 18, 2013 at 08:10 pm
His 40-yard dash time is 4.50. He paced the top wide receivers on the Wonderlic intelligence test with a score of 33. Was compared to sterling sharpe and aquan boldin
October 18, 2013 at 08:42 pm
Who compared Harper to Boldin? Or Sharpe? Would like to read what they say about that. His size is similar to Boldin except about 10 lbs heavier. Doesn't mean he plays like Boldin or Sharpe tho.
October 18, 2013 at 11:54 pm
I have heard the comparison's to Boldin. Doesn't mean he will play like him. But I like the comparison.
I like the pickup, but don't expect him to play much right away. Although i'm sure he will play a lot of special teams early.
October 19, 2013 at 12:23 am
http://m.jsonline.com/more/sports/blogs/228391501.html?utm_medium=twitte...
October 18, 2013 at 09:20 pm
Well I dunno, have we ever had any luck with any Kansas State receivers?
October 18, 2013 at 09:55 pm
Or any qbs turned wr?
October 18, 2013 at 09:36 pm
Looks like a good prospect. Give him some time.
October 19, 2013 at 09:39 am
lol. Packer Fans giving a player time? Are we talking the same amount of time they gave Franklin?
Yes, Fans need to give the guy some time. We also need to calm our expectations of him.
I like what I have heard of him, and think he could potentially add something different to the WR's but lets not get our expectations to high until we see him actually play.
October 19, 2013 at 11:32 am
Well, at least it sounds like a couple of us are willing to give him some time...
October 18, 2013 at 11:13 pm
Just to clarify, TT did not sing him to a 3 year offer. SF did when they signed him of SEA practice squad. We just assumed his contract with the waiver claim.
October 19, 2013 at 03:53 pm
6 of one, half dozen of the other. Either way he has a 3 yr deal with the Pack.
October 18, 2013 at 11:14 pm
The contract was completed by the 49ers. The Packers just took over the three year deal.
October 19, 2013 at 12:11 am
BOYKIN!
October 19, 2013 at 07:35 am
I like Chris Harper. I wouldn't be surprised if he is the number 3 receiver for the Packers next year. Apparently he's really smart too.
I can see a little bit of Sterling Sharpe in him. Doesn't have an extra gear but has strong legs and can catch the ball with his hands running over the middle.
Packers need a guy like Harper that can go over the middle and take a hit and hang on to the ball (and not get injured). James Jones doesn't like going over the middle. He's afraid. (yeah I'd be afraid too in NFL ;) ). Greg Jennings (and Driver somewhat before Jennings) was the guy they always relied on going over the middle. Especially against cover 2.
Since Harper has been cut twice and the Packers probably want him to run routes in harms way over the middle, what's he going to say? He'll say yes, thank you...may I have another.
October 19, 2013 at 08:11 am
Wow ...it is crazy to think about how DD used to go across the middle and take a hit.
October 19, 2013 at 08:33 am
A lot of reaching here...
He's been cut by two teams that aren't very deep at WR, but you're projecting he's going to be our #3 next year before he's even stepped foot on the field as a Packer. I sure hope we've got someone proven at #3 next year.
He's shown nothing to be compared to Sharpe (one if the best WRs of all time)...please stop people!!
And because he's been cut twice, for reasons unknown (for all we know because he wasn't physical), he's magically going to do whatever his third team in 6 months wants him to do?
October 19, 2013 at 11:38 am
I am thinking that GB is pretty dang good at scouting receivers and what they need to succeed. I say this because of where they were drafted. Not a single one in round one out of Jennings, Cobb, Nelson, Jones, etc.
Kind of reminds me of years ago when Denver started picking "Bronco" backs (one cut and go) that fit well with their zone blocking and had success even though they were picked in nearly any round.
Anybody on the same page here?
October 19, 2013 at 11:47 am
Jamie couldn't be more right. WRs are available all the time. I'm think'in I have two spare ones stashed somewhere in my garage that could possibly catch passes from AR.
There's a good chance this guy (Harper) doesn't even last the season in GB. Hey, he's already on his 3rd team & he still hasn't caught his 1st NFL pass.
October 19, 2013 at 12:18 pm
That's also a possibility.
October 19, 2013 at 03:31 pm
Jaime, I think you're having trouble understanding my post. When I look at a player on film, I look at their physical movements. I played (and coached) football for many years including WR, so I'm probably looking at things from a different perspective than you as a typical fan.
When I say I see a little Sterling Sharpe in him, I mean he as some of the same physical movements as Sharpe. I'm probably Sterling Sharpe's biggest fan and have studied lots of film on him. ;)
I actually wanted the Packers to take Cobb in the first round...and still to this day can't believe he was available that late in the second round. TT may not be so lucky next year.
I don't anticipate James Jones returning next year. So even if the Packers take a WR in the 2nd round, I speculate that Harper will be ahead of them (draft pick and boykin)and do well in McCarthy's offense with Rodgers throwing to him.
Getting cut by two of the top teams in the NFC is nothing to be ashamed of. I remember Wes Welker getting cut several years ago. (And no I'm not comparing him to Wes Welker other than the fact he too was cut).
But none of it matters, because all the packers really need right now is a guy who can run down the field to stretch/spread the field and can learn some of the playbook quickly. I'm not saying the guy will just be a decoy, but unlikely he will be a major contributor in the short term, but he just might. I like what I saw on his film (for potential).
October 19, 2013 at 05:06 pm
Just curious, why don't you think JJ will be back? I can't see him getting a huge offer elsewhere.
October 19, 2013 at 09:50 pm
I could care less if you coached WR for 30 years in the NFL...by saying he's similar to Sharpe in his movement you basically just told me you aren't very good at assessing player movement. Sharpe was almost stoic in his movement, while Harper is wild and flails his arms as he runs and cuts.
No comparison.
Wes Welker was an exception.
Don't get me wrong, I hope all of the reaching you're doing pans out...I love to be wrong in this case. I just see much to support anything you've projected.
October 19, 2013 at 09:53 pm
*don't see much
October 20, 2013 at 01:33 am
Comparing Harper to Sharpe is like... Comparing Hyde to Woodson!
Physical dimensions aside and playing style aside.
In each case one is a HOF level player and the other isn't likely to really be much more than a role player.
October 19, 2013 at 12:54 pm
throw him the ball before making any decision to throw him away, he looks like quite a catch for the pack as things look now with jones and cobb out temporarily. I think he'll fit right in and do better than expected!
October 19, 2013 at 01:02 pm
Since Tarvarres King was releases to promote Von Miller. Do the Packers now go after King.
October 19, 2013 at 03:21 pm
haha.. I thought you were just joking and yes, I see the Broncos did release King as you said to make room for Von Miller. Unbelievable bad luck for this kid. Bad bad decision by him in retrospect.
Amazing how 24 hours can change a person's life good or bad. Do the Packers go after him now that they signed Harper? He had his chance two days ago to play with Aaron Rodgers and he didn't take it.
Something tells me TT takes saying "no" to the Green Bay Packers as in insult and they'll now pass on him. Who knows though.
Kind of like the best looking girl telling guys "no" because she thinks she can get better than ends up with nobody. Oh well, such is life for a practice squad guy. Probably better to take that opportunity when it first comes.
October 19, 2013 at 03:39 pm
Seriously, what a shitty move by the Broncos. They knew they'd be activating Miller. Why jerk this kid around just to block him from the Packers.
October 19, 2013 at 03:50 pm
Total....dick.....move.
October 19, 2013 at 04:04 pm
yup. that is a huge dick move. That is pretty pathetic actually. If they knew they weren't going to keep him, to basically block him from going to the Packers is bad.
I don't think Thompson would go after him now. But who knows.
If they really liked him, they could possibly go after him. But who would they release to get him? Harper?
October 19, 2013 at 04:07 pm
I don't know.....his guaranteed Broncos signing bonus was $171,480. So he made $171,480 for a few days work. Not bad.
If he's any good, he'll get signed by somebody.
October 19, 2013 at 04:24 pm
I got criticized by some here saying the Packers could make Denver weaker by picking him up. Now it seems the Broncos obviously did not want him going to Green Bay at all costs so they were willing to F with their own player in order to make that happen.
Green Bay now signs Harper putting them in a much more difficult situation and one where they probably don't go after him now who knows.
When the dust settles I see Green Bay and Denver in the super bowl and both were playing a chess match with each other. The loser appears to be Mr. King.
I wonder if Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton will step in on this matter. Maybe even Obama. A black man being treated as a slave by two NFL teams? What a great story for the Obama administration and the Democrats.
October 19, 2013 at 04:44 pm
Long shank one question. Wtf?
October 19, 2013 at 04:45 pm
Wtf? what?
October 19, 2013 at 09:52 pm
You deserved to be criticized.
No offense but what you said was really dumb. Whatever Denver did does not mean the pie in the sky theory about the Packers intentions were any more accurate.
October 20, 2013 at 04:20 am
I am mystified by the notion that King is the loser here, at least if he pocketed 171K for a weeks work. King knew Von Miller was coming back. He had 2 offers and he chose one of them. My guess is that TT didn't guarantee 171K. Now, he has the 171K, and someone likely will still pick him up at least for the practice squad. I'd sign that contract so fast that you would have to have super slow motion replay if you wanted to see me sign up for the 171K for a weeks work. Only if Denver broke promises would I feel sorry for King.
BTW, I agree that if GB likes two players equally well, and one is on Carolina's PS and the other on San Fran's (or Denver, etc.),take the guy from San Fran, thereby weakening a rival, every time.
October 19, 2013 at 04:44 pm
Why? The Packers are a "threat" to the Broncos. Like Green Bay, they are also loaded with talent and do not want to see a great team get even better.
Wouldn't it be funny if Tarvarres King ends up with Cleveland? lol Next year Cleveland's two starting receivers will be Charles Johnson and Tarvarres King. lol
October 19, 2013 at 04:46 pm
The question was in response to your last paragraph actually
October 19, 2013 at 04:58 pm
Oh that. Well it's true isn't it. This is a story that Obama and the Democrats can use to their advantage. A poor black man promised a job by the white slave owner of the Broncos if he just stays on his plantation and finishes out his day's work, he'll get promoted. He gets this promise because he gets offered another job by Green Bay but stays loyal to his original owner.
Well now the owner a day later decides to promote another slave and the Mr. King gets a pink slip. That is injustice Steve and don't be surprised if Jesse Jackson, Sharpton and even Obama gets involved since that's what they all seem to enjoy. This is where we are in America these days. Had it been a white guy it wouldn't even be a story. Just sayin'.
October 19, 2013 at 05:09 pm
Wow, i do feel that things that are not discriminate in nature are turned into racism now addays. A.e. a cop pulling over an African American citizen. But i do not think that its as large as your insinuating. The fact is he was probanly promised a spot on next years roster.
October 19, 2013 at 05:19 pm
Why do you think that way? I don't know, maybe becuase you don't like Obama. I think he's the greatest President we ever had but I swear people look at me like I am nuts. He has done more than any other President to unite this country in terms of race relations. I love the guy.
There's still a ton of racism and black injustice in this country and it's nice to see we have people like Jesse, Al and Obama to occassionally point out those injustices from time to time.
The Tarvarres King case is one that sickens me. Here's a young black man trying to do his best yet he gets f'd with by hiw own employer for being loyal than the next day gets fired. Meanwhile his other job offer has since vanished when Green Bay hired a different player. King got screwed and now someone has to pay!! It's a social injustice Steve. It just is. Obama and the Democrats can use this to their advantage. Now is that time I say!!
October 19, 2013 at 05:25 pm
If this site goes all "political"....I'm peacin like Jon Beason.
October 19, 2013 at 05:28 pm
No, it won't. I was just having a little fun with this story on King. Promise not to bring Obama, Jesse and Al into this anymore. I do feel bad for King though. He really did get screwed to be honest.
Just doing a little reverse stupidity on this story.
October 19, 2013 at 05:44 pm
Fortunately in this story it's one side with an owner the other side with a community
October 19, 2013 at 05:52 pm
I do have something to say that is very important though.....I am TERRIFIED OF TOMORROWS GAME! This has trap game written allover it. We have a dismantled team playing a halfway decent team with a very decent defense. Sure everyone is gonna say " dude its Weeden". And to that I say " dude we don't have a pass rush". When u don't have a pass rush even super-suck qbs like Weeden can rack up the yards. Can anyone give me some kind of info to calm me down? This Octoberfest is delicious...but not doin the trick.
October 19, 2013 at 06:18 pm
Our injury status removes any trap game concerns.
October 19, 2013 at 07:12 pm
Hayward, all I have to tell you is have faith in the Packers coaching staff. You say we don't have a pass rush? Well just three weeks ago, alot of people were saying Nick Perry was a bust and Mike Neal was never really mentioned. Three weeks later everyone now thinks it's the end of the world that we don't have these two playing.
I don't know about you but I have faith in Andy Mulumba and Palmer. Don't sell these two short. We've seen time and time again how unknowns get a chance and make a name for themselves on this team. We could be talking tomorrow night the very same thing about how great these two played. I personally think they will do their jobs to the best of their ability and they will both help this team to victory. This team is built with the "next man up" mentality. We just have to trust that we'll get a good pass rush from those two just like the others. I am anyway.
I expect a big victory tomorrow for Green Bay. I really think Aaron Rodgers secretly loves this challenge of having to play with alot of unknown receivers. He wants to prove he can win games just like Brady does and tomorrow he'll prove it.
October 19, 2013 at 08:49 pm
"Well just three weeks ago, alot of people were saying Nick Perry was a bust..."
No one anyone should be taking seriously, but yeah.
October 19, 2013 at 06:13 pm
Well that's refreshing hahaha.
October 19, 2013 at 07:10 pm
heyward4president, I've probably been one of the hardest critics of this team on game day. But I just can't shake the feeling that we will be alright on Sunday with others taking over for the injured. Seems to me our back ups have been doing some pretty good stuff when the've been in. Ted has picked some good players as back ups over the last 2 years and I've got a feeling they'll do alright. Packers 40 - Browns 19.
October 19, 2013 at 11:19 pm
Eddie lacy over 100 and a td
October 20, 2013 at 09:55 am
It's on Eddie Lacys shoulders a little bit that's for sure.