Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst continued to reshape the team’s depth on Wednesday, signing former Cincinnati linebacker Jack Dingle to the practice squad following a workout, according to a report from the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk. The move comes just days after the Packers lost starting linebacker Edgerrin Cooper to a torn Achilles tendon, an injury that will sideline him for the remainder of the 2026 season.
Linebacker Depth Takes Another Hit
Cooper’s injury, suffered in Week 4, forced the Packers to promote core special teamer Kristian Welch to the 53-man roster. The promotion left Green Bay without an off-ball linebacker on the practice squad—a void that became even more glaring after the team worked out five linebackers on Wednesday, following two unsuccessful tryouts on Tuesday. Dingle, a 2026 undrafted free agent out of Cincinnati, impressed enough during his workout to earn a spot.
“We’re always looking for players who can run and hit, and Jack fits that mold,” a team source told Vulius Sports. “He’s a high-motor guy who tested off the charts.”
Dingle’s athleticism is undeniable. He posted a 9.82 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) out of a possible 10.00, ranking 65th out of 3,460 linebackers evaluated from 1987 to 2026. That elite testing profile made him a priority UDFA for the Bengals, who signed him to a deal with $15,000 guaranteed—tied for the 249th-highest guarantee among 2026 UDFAs. However, Cincinnati waived him at the cutdown deadline and did not add him to their practice squad, leaving the door open for Green Bay.
Practice Squad Shuffle
To accommodate Dingle, the Packers must release one player from their 17-man practice squad by Thursday. The current unit includes quarterbacks Kedon Slovis, running backs Pierre Strong Jr. and Damon Bankston, wide receivers Isaiah Neyor, Quincy Skinner Jr., and Coleman Owen, and tight end Drake Dabney. On the offensive line, Mekhi Becton Sr., Dalton Cooper, Josh Gesky, and Dillon Wade hold spots, while the defensive line features David Blay Jr. and edge rushers Nyjalik Kelly and Arron Mosby. Dingle joins a linebacker group that also includes practice squad holdover T.J. Quinn, who was cut after training camp. The secondary consists of cornerback Domani Jackson and safety Kahlef Hailassie, with kicker Lenny Krieg rounding out the squad via international exemption.
The Packers’ recent roster moves reflect a proactive approach to addressing depth concerns. Since the cutdown deadline, Green Bay has hosted a revolving door of tryouts, including veteran linebackers Deion Jones, Channing Tindall, and Josh Ross. All seven linebackers brought in for workouts have now been evaluated, with Dingle emerging as the lone signee. As the Packers prepare for a pivotal NFC North matchup in Week 6, Dingle’s addition provides insurance behind starters Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie.
What’s Next for Dingle and the Packers?
Dingle will begin his tenure on the practice squad, where he’ll have the opportunity to develop under defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. With Cooper out, the Packers may elevate Dingle to the active roster if injuries strike again. For now, the rookie aims to prove that his elite athleticism can translate to production on Sundays. As the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk continues to monitor, one thing is clear: Green Bay isn’t done tinkering with its roster.
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