Victory for the Packers Sparks Questions About Donovan Jennings’ Unexpected New Challenge.QQ
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Packers’ Roster Decisions Loom as Donovan Jennings Remains Inactive Amid O-Line Injuries
The Green Bay Packers came out of Thanksgiving with a critical divisional win over the Detroit Lions, keeping pace in the NFC North and improving to 8-3-1 on the year. But even as the playoff picture sharpens and momentum builds, there are lingering questions about how this roster is constructed – and one of those questions centers around offensive lineman Donovan Jennings.
With Elgton Jenkins sidelined for the season, the Packers’ offensive line has been held together with duct tape and determination. Injuries have forced Green Bay to shuffle bodies and lean on depth.
Yet, through it all, Jennings has remained inactive – again – in Week 13. And that’s not a new development.
The 26-year-old guard has been active for just one game all season, despite the team’s glaring need for healthy linemen.
At this point, it’s fair to ask: Why is Jennings still occupying a spot on the 53-man roster?
Let’s be clear – Jennings isn’t some unknown commodity. After spending 2024 on the practice squad, he’s been around long enough for Matt LaFleur and the coaching staff to have a solid read on what he brings to the table. And if, in a season where the offensive line has been stretched thin, he still can’t crack the game-day roster, that says a lot.
This isn’t about piling on one player. It’s about roster efficiency.
Teams chasing a Super Bowl – and make no mistake, that’s the Packers’ goal – can’t afford to carry passengers. Every spot matters.
Every inactive player is a missed opportunity to add depth somewhere else – whether that’s an extra running back, a rotational tight end, or a defensive lineman who can give you a few meaningful snaps.
Keeping Jennings on the roster while he’s not contributing on Sundays is a luxury Green Bay might not be able to afford, especially as the season tightens and the margin for error shrinks. The front office will have to take a hard look at whether that spot could be better used elsewhere as the playoff push intensifies.
Now, it’s entirely possible Jennings sticks around into the 2026 offseason. Retaining him wouldn’t be costly, and from a cap standpoint, there’s little risk in giving him another shot in OTAs or training camp.
But that leash is getting shorter. If Jennings wants to stay in Green Bay beyond the offseason program, he’ll need to show something – and soon.
The pressure is on. Brian Gutekunst and the coaching staff will be watching closely, and if a better option comes along, they won’t hesitate to make a move. This is a team with postseason ambitions, and every player on the 53-man roster needs to be part of the plan – not just along for the ride.
