Former Jets RB Joe McKnight Heading to Green Bay?
Former New York Jets running back Joe McKnight will work out for the Green Bay Packers ahead of Saturday's roster cutdown.
By Zach Kruse
Maybe the Green Bay Packers' running back situation isn't quite as clear as it originally seemed. Or maybe the Packers saw an opportunity to upgrade their return game.
Either way, a move that could shake up the 53-man roster ahead of Saturday's cutdown might be in the works.
According to his unverified Twitter account, former New York Jets running back Joe McKnight is headed to Green Bay Saturday for what he calls a "fresh start."
Headed to GREEN BAY TOMORROW #freshstart
— JOE MCKNIGHT (@Joejetlife) August 30, 2013
Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports later sorted out the situation, reporting that McKnight is heading to Green Bay for a workout. Nothing more.
Btw FA RB Joe McKnight has not signed with the Packers. Merely heading there for a workout at this point.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 30, 2013
McKnight, 25, was released by the Jets on Monday. He spent three years in New York, mostly as a special teams player and reserve running back.
Since 2010, McKnight has carried 112 times for 502 yards, good for a 4.5-yard average. His biggest impact came on kickoffs, where he returned 76 times for 2,205 yards and two touchdowns, including one in each of the last two seasons.
Following DuJuan Harris' season-ending injury, the Packers appeared to have a solidified quartet of running backs in Eddie Lacy, James Starks, Alex Green and Johnathan Franklin. Green Bay has also used Green and receiver Jeremy Ross on kickoffs.
The workout could still be nothing more than Packers general manager Ted Thompson updating his information on McKnight, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft. But it might also be an indication of Thompson's displeasure with the running back or return situations. Stay tuned.
Zach Kruse is a 25-year-old sports writer who contributes to Cheesehead TV, Bleacher Report and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He also covered prep sports for the Dunn Co. News. You can reach him on Twitter @zachkruse2 or by email at [email protected].
Comments (9)
August 30, 2013 at 04:35 pm
If he works out well this could allow GB to cut a RB and Ross. And use those spots on DL or TE...
August 30, 2013 at 04:47 pm
It's too bad we didn't draft a couple RB's this year. Oh, wait.
August 30, 2013 at 05:04 pm
When you think you know TT just does it again.
August 30, 2013 at 05:30 pm
Not sure what you mean. He's usually been an active GM this time of the year. Its not at all unusual for him to pick up a couple released players from other teams for his roster and/or PS.
August 30, 2013 at 07:57 pm
it is unusual for him to go after higher profile players though.
Joe McKnight might not have had a great career thus far, but he is a more well known player.
August 30, 2013 at 08:00 pm
Not really that unusual. I mean, Vince Young. Matthew Mulligan...hello?!
August 30, 2013 at 08:29 pm
This whole year has been a bit unusual, with the Vince Young thing. I will definitely give you that one.
Mulligan, I honestly never heard of him till the Packers signed him.
I just mostly meant though he normally goes out and gets the Charlie Peprah's and players like that.
August 31, 2013 at 06:39 am
He's not paying premium coin to anybody at this time of year. Whether you call them "high profile" or not, no one who is available right now is recognized as even a starting-caliber talent. If they were, they would not be on the street.
August 30, 2013 at 05:53 pm
Smart actually for Teddy boy. If Crosby starts to suck, he will have already had and tried out kickalicious. If Lacy gets IR from game one beating by the Niners, we have a running back in the wings we tried out. Its insurance.