Wednesday Cheese Curds: Packers face one more cut-down next week

With the NFL shifting to a three-game preseason, the roster cut timeline has shifted. But next Tuesday will still be a dramatic day around the league and in Green Bay.

In years past, the NFL held every team’s fourth and final preseason game on the Thursday before the week of the regular season. That allowed the league to set the 53-man roster cut deadline for that Saturday, with waivers clearing and practice squads coming together on Sunday.

This year, however, with the league’s move to a 17-game regular season and a three-game preseason schedule, the timeline between the final exhibition game and week one is extended to nearly two weeks. That allows for a broader time frame and mid-week cuts. Indeed, NFL teams must reach their 53-man rosters next Tuesday, August 31st, instead of several days later.

Although that cut deadline comes a few days earlier in 2021 than it had in previous years, it will be no more or less dramatic for players on roster bubbles than before. The Green Bay Packers must again make some difficult decisions, with a few veterans still trying to secure their jobs and numerous young players fighting to earn roster spots.

Of course, the third preseason game on Saturday is the last, best opportunity for some of these players to show why they deserve to be on the team. Innis Gaines and Yosh Nijman, who both feature in today’s Cheese Curds, are among those trying to lock in a role on the team and the 53. Read on below for more on both of these players and much more.

5 things learned at Packers training camp – Aug. 24 | Packers.com
Practice was closed to the public yesterday, but there were some interesting press conferences from young players. For example, safety Innis Gaines tore his ACL two years in a row, then worked as a DoorDash driver most of last year to make ends meet while he trained and kept his NFL dream alive.

Kevin King addresses NFC title-game woes, tries ‘to win a Super Bowl’ with Green Bay Packers | ESPN
King also spoke to the media for the first time since giving up that touchdown to Scotty Miller. He did admit that he “might have gotten a little bit of his shirt” on the pass interference penalty late in that game as well, but said that he’s not dwelling on any past mistakes.

Packers film room: Reviewing Malik Taylor’s solid outing vs Jets | Packers Wire
With Devin Funchess and Equanimeous St. Brown still injured, how can you keep Taylor off the 53 given his performances in the preseason so far?

Athletic Green Bay Packers OT Yosh Nijman Pushes for Roster Spot – SI.com
Nijman is one of the most athletic tackle prospects in years, but he was (and still is) raw. But aside from one or two ugly plays in the preseason opener, he has played pretty well this summer, possibly well enough to earn a roster spot again as the team’s backup left tackle.

Jaguars rookie RB Travis Etienne to undergo foot surgery, to miss 2021 season | NFL.com
The “don’t draft running backs highly” crew got another pair of data points this week, first with Etienne’s Lisfranc injury and then this morning as the New England Patriots shipped off Sony Michel to the Rams for day-three draft picks.

Eating a hot dog can take 36 minutes off your life, University of Michigan study suggests – ABC7
How much of your life have you lost to Costco and Sam’s Club? The good news is you can have a hot dog AND a peanut butter & jelly sandwich (+33 minutes) and they’ll effectively cancel each other out!