Next Tuesday marks one of the most important dates on the NFL calendar: cutdown day. A few years ago, the league shifted from staggered roster reductions to one single deadline. In just one afternoon, the Packers — along with every other team — will trim their offseason roster from 90 players down to the regular season allotment of 53. Over the following 24 hours, the 17-man practice squad will begin to take shape. Players who don’t make the active roster will have the opportunity to return in a developmental role, provided another team doesn’t claim them first.

That’s always the risk. Packers fans remember 2017, when quarterback Taysom Hill slipped through the cracks and landed in New Orleans, leaving Green Bay with nothing in return. While this year’s roster doesn’t feature a player with that level of intrigue, there are still a handful Brian Gutekunst should make every effort to keep in town.

Amar Johnson-

During camp, with MarShawn Lloyd and Emmanuel Wilson sidelined, Amar Johnson looked like a candidate to make the 53. With Wilson healthy and Chris Brooks securing the third-down role thanks to his blocking, Johnson’s best path now appears to be the practice squad.

Johnson has made his case with big plays. In Week 1 of the preseason, he was the lone highlight on offense for Green Bay when he ripped off a 39-yard touchdown run against the Jets. In Week 2 versus the Colts, he showed toughness, powering through the line and dragging defenders into the end zone.

The competition for a practice squad spot likely comes down to Johnson and Israel Abanikanda. Abanikanda offers value as a return man, but Johnson has flashed more as a pure runner, with burst, vision, and balance that have stood out in camp. Gutekunst could go either way, but Johnson feels like the higher-upside stash.

Nazir Stackhouse-

Stackhouse was a popular post-draft pick to make the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent, but the numbers may work against him. With Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Colby Wooden, Brooks, and rookie Warren Brinson all ahead of him, carrying a sixth defensive lineman could be a luxury the Packers can’t afford.

Roster decisions at other positions may seal his fate. If Green Bay opts for extra depth at linebacker or tight end for special teams help, players like Kristian Welch or Ben Sims would likely sneak onto the roster leaving  Stackhouse as the odd man out.

Injuries complicate matters as well. MarShawn Lloyd and Barryn Sorrell are both expected to miss “some” time, according to Matt LaFleur, though neither appears headed for a lengthy absence. That could keep Sorrell off injured reserve and force the team to save his roster spot. Brinson, meanwhile, edges out his fellow Georgia Bulldog Stackhouse thanks to his athleticism, versatility and status as a draft pick. If Green Bay can sneak Stackhouse through waivers, he’d be an ideal practice squad candidate.

Micah Robinson-

The battle for the fifth cornerback job remains undecided heading into the final preseason game. Rookie Micah Robinson and second-year corner Kalen King are neck and neck. I Myself have been going back and fourth on who makes the final cut, so if you prefer Robinson you wont get a huge argument from me. 

In the end I went with King because he offers more versatility, having shown he can play in the slot, and has built on a strong camp after spending last season on the practice squad. Robinson, a seventh-round pick, has been steady but may be easier to retain. Teams might be more likely to take a flier on King, and if cut he might want to take a fresh start elsewhere. Robinson could be more inclined to stay in Green Bay and wait for his opportunity.

If their play has truly been even, the safer move may be to keep King on the 53 and slide Robinson onto the practice squad.

With recent rule changes, the practice squad has taken on greater importance. Teams can elevate two players per week and bring any player up to the active roster three times in a season, giving coaches far more flexibility. The addition of up to six veteran spots also allows teams to stash experienced contributors who don’t crack the initial 53.

For the Packers, that could mean keeping players like Kristian Welch, Isaiah Simmons, or Mecole Hardman in the fold if roster math pushes them out on cutdown day. 

One way or another, the practice squad will be a crucial piece of Green Bay’s roster strategy and will be fluid all season. Keep an eye on the transaction wire in the 24 hours following cutdowns to see which 17 players Gutekunst and his staff manage to retain. It’s one of my favorite days of the year.