The Green Bay Packers have released tight end Ryan Taylor, according to a report from Wes Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette:

A seventh-round pick out of North Carolina in 2011, Taylor played 50 games for the Packers with eight catches for 45 yards and a touchdown, but was known more for his special-teams acumen.

In four seasons with the Packers, Taylor made eight receptions for 45 yards and one touchdown. He also made 14 career tackles on special teams.

While Taylor provided depth, he was a replacement-level player on both offense and special teams. Of his 10 offensive snaps this season, every one of them came in the most recent win over the Minnesota Vikings after the outcome of the game had already been decided..

While Andrew Quarless and Richard Rodgers have received most of the playing time at the tight end position on offense, it appeared as if Taylor had fallen behind fellow tight end Brandon Bostick on both offense and special teams.

Now the Packers have released Taylor, they have one opening on their 53-man roster as well as two on the practice squad, and it would seem likely that they start filling at least some of those holes before they return to practice on Wednesday.

Two names that keep surfacing are those of former Packers players Jermichael Finley and Johnny Jolly, both of whom are free agents.

The positions they play are seemingly in need of depth. The release of Taylor leaves one less player at tight end, while injuries to defensive linemen Datone Jones and Josh Boyd, leave a question mark along the defensive line, at least temporarily.

Both Finley and Jolly, however, are coming off spinal injuries last season that must be treated with sensitivity.