The Green Bay Packers Monday promoted fullback Vonta Leach from the practice squad to the active roster and placed running back Walter Williams on injured reserve, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced.
Leach, whose first name is pronounced "von-TAY," makes his first appearance on a 53-man roster. A 6-0, 246-pound rookie out of East Carolina, Leach originally signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent, April 30. Waived in the final preseason roster reduction Sept. 6, he re-signed to the practice squad Sept. 8 and had spent the entire season in that role.
A former linebacker and fullback at East Carolina, where he lettered four years, he earned his team's offensive MVP honors at the annual Blue-Gray All-Star Classic after his senior season.
Leach wears No. 48 on the Packers' roster.
Williams, promoted himself from the practice squad Nov. 20, sustained a high-ankle sprain in his NFL debut the next night at Houston. The team's leading rusher vs. the Texans, with 42 yards on six carries - including a 28-yard burst, Williams could not return after injuring his ankle in the second quarter.
