The Green Bay Packers have signed offensive lineman Cordell Volson to their practice squad following a workout on Wednesday, according to Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated. The move comes as the team scrambles to address an interior offensive line that produced mixed results in the season opener.
Volson brings 51 career starts to Green Bay, including 48 regular-season games and three playoff appearances, all at left guard during his four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. The former fourth-round pick also spent time at right guard this offseason with the Tennessee Titans. He can be elevated to the game-day roster three times without penalty; a fourth elevation would require a promotion to the 53-man roster.
The signing addresses a unit that entered Week 1 with questions and left it with more. Aaron Banks missed the opener with knee tendinitis after being limited in practice. The coaching staff plans to ramp him up slowly and will monitor how his knee responds to each practice session, likely making him a game-time decision for Week 2.
Donovan Jennings got the starting nod at left guard in Banks' absence but struggled in his first career start. The Packers will hold an open competition this week between Jennings and Jager Burton if Banks does not play Sunday. Right guard is also in a problematic state. Jacob Monk made his first start at the position and struggled, raising questions about the team's options there.
Anthony Belton could potentially factor into the right guard mix. Belton lost the starting job early in training camp and was demoted to swing tackle, but his versatility might give the coaching staff another option as they evaluate the line.
The pressure from fans to add a veteran presence had been building. Many pointed to Kevin Zeitler, a 36-year-old Pro Bowler and Wisconsin native who played college ball at Wisconsin. But his conditioning and NFL future remained in question. According to Huber's report on Monday night, Zeitler was apparently ready to roll for the right opportunity. The Packers instead went with Volson, who is younger and has a more recent track record of playing at a starting level.
Volson's path to Green Bay took some turns over the past year. He competed against third-round pick Dylan Fairchild for the starting left guard job with the Bengals last offseason. A season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery in late August derailed that competition. The Bengals waived him with an injury designation during roster cuts, but he went unclaimed and reverted to injured reserve.
In March, the Titans signed Volson to a one-year, $3.125 million contract with $2 million guaranteed. He moved to right guard and competed against fifth-round pick Fernando Carmona for the starting job. Volson lost that competition and was waived during roster cuts.
Now he lands in Green Bay, where the offensive line situation remains fluid. Banks' knee will determine much of what happens at left guard. The competition between Jennings and Burton will play out in practice this week. And the right guard spot, after Monk's rough debut, is far from settled.
Volson gives the Packers a player with significant starting experience who has played both guard spots. Whether he gets elevated for Sunday's game remains to be seen, but the team now has another option as it works through a line that has yet to find its footing.
According to Yahoo Sports.