Packers Activate DE Mike Neal, Cut Philip Merling
The Green Bay Packers activated defensive end Mike Neal and cut defensive end Phillip Merling Saturday.
By Zach Kruse
In a somewhat expected move, the Green Bay Packers activated defensive end Mike Neal from reserved/suspended status Saturday and released defensive end Phillip Merling.
Packers activated DE Mike Neal from exempt status and released DE Phillip Merling: pckrs.com/e2m4
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 6, 2012
Neal served a four-game suspension to start the 2012 season after violating the league's policy for performance-enhancing substances. The substance was Adderall, and Neal had a legal prescription for the drug, but he didn't formally apply for an exemption from the league.
The Packers staff, who had until Monday to make a decision on Neal's roster status, likely want Neal as part of the active 46-man roster Sunday in Indianapolis.
GM Ted Thompson had the option of waiting until Monday before making a roster move, as the NFL granted the Packers a one-week roster exemption to make a decision. Thompson made the move now.
Neal practiced without limitation all week. He is from Indiana and went to school at nearby Purdue University.
Merling, signed as a free agent in August, was active for three games and recorded two tackles.
Comments (17)
October 06, 2012 at 05:36 pm
He's healthy! He's fit! He's upset (@ his suspension)! Mike Neal is back & will make a difference! We WILL see the dude that was tossin o-linemen around back in his rookie season! Welcome back Big Mike!
Go Pack Go!
October 06, 2012 at 07:33 pm
Don't got your panties in a bundle.
October 06, 2012 at 09:22 pm
LOL! All things considered - we just need to be 3-2 by the end of tomorrow!
October 06, 2012 at 06:22 pm
Merling should stay in shape in case Neal goes down again.
That said, I'll take Neal over Merling any day.
October 06, 2012 at 09:13 pm
Good luck, Mike, and welcome back!
October 06, 2012 at 10:07 pm
Missed time due to suspension + come back and try too hard to make up for lost time = a trip to the training room. Easy does it and stay healthy, Mr. Neal.
October 06, 2012 at 10:58 pm
Hell with all of them, Neal. Let'r rip!
October 06, 2012 at 11:09 pm
I suspect this is due to injury concerns with Pickett and to reduce number of snaps for Raji potentially. Neal is a huge liability in coverage and not that effective as a pass rusher either. Perhaps the coaches want to give him one last chance before they close the books on him?
October 06, 2012 at 11:18 pm
Some people think they know the reason behind everything. Most of the time these people should just keep those thoughts to themselves.
October 07, 2012 at 12:35 am
You're such a blowhard. ^^^^
October 07, 2012 at 12:31 am
Your pad level is terrible.
October 07, 2012 at 12:33 am
When exactly will Neal be asked to drop into coverage? Please name me one 300 lb D lineman who looks, or would look good dropping into coverage... Raji aside of course.
October 07, 2012 at 03:15 am
I'm assuming this is satire, what with the "liability in coverage" blast.
October 07, 2012 at 08:17 am
A guess padlevel rather have Merlin than Neal.A team usually puts the best players on the roster
October 07, 2012 at 08:32 am
This is what you get when your pad level is high.
October 07, 2012 at 07:58 am
To be fair, Neal really would be a huge liability in coverage. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
October 07, 2012 at 09:11 am
This has to be Neal's LAST CHANCE to prove everyone wrong. Either he is a stud or a combination of Donnell Thompson (Sherman's 2004 pick) who looked like Tarzan and played like Jane (never played a snap in regular season in 2 years) and Justin Harrell (who had a Red Cross under his number. Time to SHOW or GO.