For those of you wondering when 2012 second-round pick Jerel Worthy was finally going to get on the field for the Green Bay Packers again, the answer is never. The Packers traded the oft-injured defensive lineman to the New England Patriots on Tuesday.
They received a conditional late-round pick in return, which is actually better than what we thought they’d get — either a bag of chips or a sixer of Sam Adams Cherry Wheat.
Worthy has been nothing short of a bust with the Packers. He was ineffective during his rookie season when he recorded 14 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 14 games. He had four starts that year before tearing his ACL late in the season.
That’s some B.J. Raji-level production.
In 2013, Worthy spent most of the season on the physically unable to perform list. When he did return from his ACL injury he couldn’t crack the rotation of what was a completely awful defensive line. Worthy played in just two games and had one tackle.
This season, Worthy showed up not fully recovered from back surgery and hasn’t taken part in a practice yet. Obviously, the Packers got tired of waiting around.
Frankly, it’s the right move, since Worthy was going to have issues making the roster anyway. He was listed behind both rookie Khyri Thornton and second-year player Josh Boyd on the depth chart, which would make him no better than the seventh defensive lineman.
In all likelihood, the Packers would rather keep a younger guy with some promise like undrafted free agent Mike Pennel or utilize the roster spot for another position.
Now, Worthy just needs to pass his physical with the Patriots, who love these cast-off type players, and then make the team. The conditional part of that draft pick likely means Worthy has to make the Pats’ opening day roster in order for the Packers to get any compensation.