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Green Bay Packers: Retain Exciting Rookie Pass Rusher for 2026
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- Green Bay Packers: Retain Exciting Rookie Pass Rusher for 2026
The Green Bay Packers finalized their initial 53-man roster on Sunday. One interesting takeaway was that Green Bay only kept four EDGE rushers: Lukas Van Ness , Barryn Sorrell , Brenton Cox Jr. , and Dani Dennis-Sutton . The Packers placed Micah Parsons on the PUP list while he continues to recover from an ACL tear and meniscus damage and also placed Collin Oliver on short-term injured reserve with a calf injury. Both will at least miss the first four games, though Parsons is aiming for a Week 6 return against his former team.
With only four EDGE rushers on the 53-man roster, the Packers needed to add depth to the position. Once the waiver wire ended for players on rookie contracts at 12 p.m., teams could add players to the practice squad.
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The Green Bay Packers retained an exciting rookie pass rusher for 2026
Green Bay Packers edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly (47) is shown during the first day of training camp Wednesday, July 29, 2026 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It is the first of three consecutive public practices.
According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, the Packers have re-signed Nyjalik Kelly to the practice squad. Kelly was regarded as a potential player to be claimed off waivers but instead cleared waivers. The exciting undrafted free agent may be elevated for Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings , as most teams prefer to have five EDGE rushers on the game-day roster.
Here's a quick review of his first offseason in Green Bay
Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Green Bay Packers helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Packers signed Nyjalik Kelly to a three-year, $3.115 million undrafted-free agent contract with a $15,000 signing bonus and $262,500 guaranteed. Kelly had a solid training camp and a strong preseason. He totaled ten tackles, four tackles for loss, one interception, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble.
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The post Green Bay Packers: Retain Exciting Rookie Pass Rusher for 2026 appeared first on Gridiron Heroics .
