The Green Bay Packers claimed CB David Long Jr. off waivers from the Carolina Panthers, signed RB Kenyan Drake to the practice squad and released RB James Robinson from the practice squad. The transactions were announced Tuesday by General Manager Brian Gutekunst.
Long Jr. (5-11, 196), a fifth-year player out of the University of Michigan, was originally selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round (No. 79 overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. He played four seasons for the Rams (2019-22) before joining the Las Vegas Raiders this past offseason. He played in eight games with one start for the Raiders this season before being released on Nov. 2. Long was then claimed by Carolina, where he appeared in three contests with one start. For his career, he has played in 63 regular-season games with 12 starts, recording 94 tackles (81 solo), an interception, eight passes defensed and two tackles on special teams. Long appeared in six postseason contests with one start for the Rams (2020-21), posting 12 tackles (11 solo), a tackle for a loss and an interception returned for a touchdown. He will wear No. 30 for the Packers.
Drake (6-1, 210), an eighth-year player out of the University of Alabama, was originally selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round (No. 73 overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. He has played for the Dolphins (2016-19), Arizona Cardinals (2019-20), Las Vegas Raiders (2021) and Baltimore Ravens (2022-23). In 2023, Drake spent training camp with the Indianapolis Colts and was on the Cleveland Browns' practice squad. He has played in 103 regular-season games with 44 starts and also appeared in a postseason contest in 2016. Overall, Drake has posted 3,866 rushing yards on 868 carries (4.5 avg.) with 33 TDs as well as 218 receptions for 1,655 yards (7.6 avg.) with eight TDs. He has returned 41 kickoffs during the regular season for 964 yards (23.5 avg.) and a TD and three kickoffs in the postseason for 101 yards (33.7 avg.). Drake will wear No. 32 for the Packers.
