GREEN BAY, Wis. – It's not Ted Thompson's MO to sign or trade for a veteran receiver if Jordy Nelson's knee injury turns out to be a season-ending ACL tear as feared. Even if the Green Bay Packers general manager wanted to go that route, his options are limited.
Right about the time Nelson went down with a left knee injury on Sunday, the New England Patriots were visiting with veteran free-agent receiver Reggie Wayne and putting him through a physical.
Wayne, 36, became a free agent after the Indianapolis Colts decided not to bring him back for a 15th season. He and Wes Welker are perhaps the biggest names still available.
But one NFL personnel executive said late Sunday that Thompson's best hope to find someone who can contribute would be if the New York Giants cut former Packers receiver James Jones.
The Giants signed Jones, 31, last month after the Raiders cut him in May. Jones left the Packers in March 2014 to sign a three-year, $10 million deal with Oakland. The Giants gave Jones just a $30,000 signing bonus as part of a one-year deal. He would receive a $50,000 bonus if he’s on the 53-man roster for the season opener.
Thompson and his staff have been studying other teams for potential cuts, and they will no doubt refocus those efforts on receivers. If Thompson were willing to make a trade, the options might be a little better, but it's unlike him to give up a draft pick.
There are several receivers who have spent time with the Packers in the past who are unsigned. They include Kevin Dorsey, Alex Gillett, Chastin West and Tori Gurley. Dorsey was a seventh-round pick in 2013 who spent his rookie season on injured reserve, but his agent said Sunday that Dorsey has retired because of multiple injuries.
Perhaps Thompson will stand pat. The Packers likely will keep five receivers on the 53-man roster and even without Nelson, they have Randall Cobb, Davante Adams and Ty Montgomery as locks. Second-year pro Jeff Janis was the leading candidate to be the No. 5 receiver, while former practice-squad player Myles White also has put together a strong preseason. Among the undrafted rookies, Larry Pinkard of Old Dominion and Ed Williams of Fort Hays State have stood out.