Former first-round pick Derek Sherrod will not be riding to the rescue to save the Green Bay Packers terrible offensive line. Sherrod, who suffered a gruesome leg injury last December, has been deactivated for the season.
Sherrod has been on the physically unable to perform list all season, but started practicing two weeks ago on a limited basis. The Packers had to decide whether to add him to the 53-man roster this week or shut him down for the remainder of the season.
Sherrod reportedly was still walking with a noticeable limp.
“He’s coming off a major injury where you see progression throughout the week,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “The padded practices is actually what he needs, is probably where he looks the best, it has a chance to loosen up. He just needs more time. I thought he progressed each week and even within the week he got better.”
The Packers offensive line has struggled since right tackle Bryan Bulaga was lost for the season and they weren’t particularly good before that.
If Sherrod is another month away, it makes sense to shut him down. If there was a chance he could have returned in a couple weeks, well, why not stow him on the active roster until he’s ready?
Is that one guy at the bottom of the Packers roster really someone they just couldn’t do without?