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Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur said the release of linebacker Kamal Martin – a decision reported on Monday but still unofficial Tuesday morning – was one of the “tougher” decisions the team made during their season. stay in Green Bay.
Martin, a fifth-round pick in 2020, is expected to be released as the Packers reduce their roster to 80 players by Tuesday’s deadline.
“Kamal was a great teammate and did everything we asked him to do, but sometimes you have to make tough decisions,” said LaFleur on Tuesday.
It is possible that the Packers will still try to trade Martin before they formalize the exit. LaFleur spoke highly of the young linebacker on Tuesday.
“He’s a great physical athlete who can really run, and he’s a great boy, a great person. It was one of the most difficult we’ve had to do in our two years here, ”said LaFleur.
As a rookie, Martin was enjoying an exceptional summer in August before a knee injury interrupted his ascent to a starting point. He missed six games and played sparingly on his return. LaFleur said it was a “challenge for him” to come back from the knee injury, which required surgery.
LaFleur also credited linebackers in front of him on the depth board. Martin was no higher than No.5 in inside linebacker, with De’Vondre Campbell, Krys Barnes, Oren Burks and Ty Summers ahead of him.
The Packers experimented with Martin as an outside linebacker, but he again injured his knee and missed the opener of the preseason. He returned for Saturday’s preseason game against the Jets, but struggled.
The versatile Will Redmond
LaFleur praised Will Redmond’s versatility and called the veteran defensive back one of the team’s best special-team players, but Redmond’s lack of availability during training camp remains a concern.
He started camp on the non-football injury roster and left Saturday’s preseason game against the Jets after just nine snaps with a toe injury.
“Will is a versatile guy,” LaFleur. “He has the ability to play in the box when we go to dimes, or to play like deep safety. He’s got the back of the corner so he can get you out of a game there. His contribution to special teams, he has always been our best special teammate for two years here. He’s an impact player in this phase of the game, we just need to get him back to good health. “
Redmond has 12 special teams tackles over the past two seasons. He also played 340 snaps as a backup security in defense in 2020.
If Redmond can regain his health in time, he will have a chance of remaining third in safety. Vernon Scott, Henry Black, Innis Gaines and Christian Uphoff are all competing for the safety spots behind Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage.
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