GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers have added tight end Johnny Lumpkin to their practice squad, according to a source reported by Packers On SI on Tuesday.
Lumpkin went undrafted in 2023. He spent the preseason with the Patriots and later had short stints on the practice squads of the Colts and Broncos during his rookie season.
This summer, Lumpkin was not part of any team’s training camp.
It'll be #Packers vs. Colts on Sunday at Lambeau Field. From @JacobWestendorf, here are the matchups, leading off with the need to stop the Jonathan Taylor-Anthony Richardson running game.https://t.co/6dyeyibhy1
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During his college career at Louisiana, Lumpkin recorded 36 receptions for 408 yards (11.3-yard average) and six touchdowns over four seasons. As a senior in 2022, he caught 16 passes for 143 yards (8.9-yard average) and four touchdowns.
Lumpkin stands out for his size. Before the 2023 NFL Draft, he measured in at 6-foot-5 3/8 and 264 pounds. With a 40-yard dash time of 4.81 seconds, his Relative Athletic Score came in at 6.46.
“He brings a lot of value to our run game with how we play football,” said his former position coach and now head coach at Louisiana, Michael Desormeaux, in an interview with The Advocate.
Desormeaux noted that Lumpkin’s future in the NFL lies in his blocking abilities. “While the league has many elite pass-catching tight ends, teams also need players who can block effectively in the ‘C’ gap (between the tackle and tight end).”
Lumpkin faced challenges during his college career, missing the 2019 season with a shoulder injury and navigating the disruptions of the 2020 COVID-19 season.
“It was frustrating for me,” Lumpkin shared with The Advocate. “I felt like I was back to my 2019 form, but in reality, I was still adjusting to the game’s speed.”
Lumpkin is essentially replacing undrafted rookie Messiah Swinson, who was signed off Green Bay’s practice squad to join the Carolina Panthers’ 53-man roster last week.
The Packers currently have three tight ends on their active roster – Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, and Ben Sims – and previously had no tight ends on their practice squad. Additionally, the Packers signed wide receiver T.J. Luther to their practice squad.
The Packers began the day with a full 17-player practice squad, necessitating roster adjustments to accommodate the signings of Johnny Lumpkin and T.J. Luther. To create space, the team released wide receiver Jalen Wayne and running back La’Mical Perine.
Additionally, three players from the 2021 draft class took part in the workout: wide receivers Seth Williams and Racey McMath, along with defensive tackle Jonathan Marshall.
