Pierre Strong Jr. Refuses to Back Down After Packers Release
The Green Bay Packers are making a change to their running back room coming off their 27-13 win over the Detroit Lions in the first week of the 2025 season.
According to the team’s official transaction wire, the Packers signed former Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. to their practice squad on Monday, releasing another rusher — Israel Abanikanda — to clear room for him on the reserve roster.
Strong — a 2022 fourth-round pick for New England — has rushed 99 times for 499 yards and two touchdowns over his first three seasons in the league, primarily operating in a depth role for both the Patriots (2022) and Browns (2023-24). He also has experience as a kick returner, averaging 23.8 return yards on 24 returns with a career-long of 36.
Strong will now slot in as the Packers’ fourth-string running back, though he is the only one not on the 53-man roster. With MarShawn Lloyd on injured reserve, though, the team could call upon him in the coming weeks if they encounter injury troubles with any of their three rostered backs — Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson or Chris Brooks.
The Packers (1-0) will host the Washington Commanders (1-0) in Week 2 at Lambeau Field for Thursday Night Football at 8:15 p.m. ET on September 11.
Packers Running Backs Had Quiet Start to 2025 Season
The Packers dominated the Lions in all three phases during their opening-week victory, dropping 27 points on them while holding them to just six points during the first three quarters. For all their success, though, the run game was somewhat quiet in the win.
The Packers rushed 21 times for 71 total rushing yards with their running backs against the Lions on Sunday, with Jacobs — who had 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns last year — needing 19 carries to net 66 total rushing yards. While he did score, he also had eight carries go for 2 yards or fewer, losing yardage on two of them.
Neither of the rotational guys behind Jacobs added much production, either; although, the Packers did not give them much of a chance. Wilson took his only carry for 4 yards, while Brooks gained just 1 yard on his lone rushing attempt. The only other ball-carriers in the game for the Packers were quarterback Jordan Love and tight end Tucker Kraft.
Now, the Packers clearly executed an effective game plan against the Lions, at least well enough to claim a Week 1 victory, but the efficiency of the backfield is worth watching in the weeks ahead, especially if the Packers are forced to play backups on their O-line.
Crowded Injury Report Stalks Packers Into Week 2
The Packers might have emerged from opening week with a win, but they are battered and bruised heading into their short week ahead of prime time with the Commanders.
Following Tuesday’s practice, the Packers listed 14 players on their latest Week 2 injury report, including the following eight starters: left guard Aaron Banks (ankle/groin), cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee), quarterback Jordan Love (left thumb), defensive end Micah Parsons (back), wide receiver Jayden Reed (foot), right tackle Zach Tom (oblique), linebacker Quay Walker (quadricep) and punter Daniel Whelan (right knee).
Some of the injuries are more concerning than others. In the case of Love, Parsons and Reed, the injuries are not new and did not hold any of the three back from playing in the first week of the season, suggesting their limitations in practice of precautionary.
With Banks and Tom, however, there are bigger doubts about their availability in Week 2. The Packers estimated both of them as non-participants for Monday (since the team did not have a practice, but must report injury statuses) and then held them out during Tuesday’s first real practice of the week. Both could sit Thursday if they don’t progress.
Defensive lineman Brenton Cox Jr. (groin) and cornerback Bo Melton (shoulder) were the only other two non-participants in Tuesday’s practice.
The other players on the injury report either participated fully or in a limited capacity, with Walker (limited), Reed (limited) and first-round rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden (ankle, full) all receiving status upgrades between Monday and Tuesday.
Broncos Add Dynamic Former Cowboys RB After Super Bowl Champion’s Comments
The Denver Broncos are already looking to add a new dynamic to their group, and they quickly settled on former Dallas Cowboys sixth-round draft pick (2023) and running back Cristopher “Deuce” Vaughn.
The move comes on the heels of the Broncos’ 20-12 win over the Tennessee Titans.
That could suggest that there is something specific that head coach Sean Payton and the Broncos want to see out of the young playmaker, Vaughn.
Broncos Sign Former Cowboys RB Deuce Vaughn
GettyDeuce Vaughn #42 of the Dallas Cowboys participates in warmups before a game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Vaughn, who turns 24 in November, has 110 rushing yards on 40 carries in his career. How Vaughn fits into the Broncos’ plans is unclear, but he was in for a workout last week, so head coach Sean Payton and the front office have been monitoring him.
“The #Broncos are signing running back Deuce Vaughn to their practice squad, sources tell @CBSSports,” CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported on X on September 9. “The former Kansas State All-American and 2023 sixth-round draft pick spent the last two seasons with the Cowboys. Ran for 42 yards in Dallas’ final preseason game.
“During his final two college seasons at Kansas State, Vaughn ran for 2,912 yards and accounted for 34 total touchdowns.”
“He’s a hard worker. There could be a connection there,” Vaughn’s agent, Jovan Barnes, said, per The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson on September 9. “I was excited when they expressed their interest and now it’s up to Deuce to do what he does.
“He’s a great player and a great young man.”
What Vaughn does with the Broncos, and specifically under Payton, is certainly something to monitor.
Deuce Vaughn Draws Comparison to Super Bowl Champion After Endorsement
GettyDarren Sproles #43 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during their NFC Wild Card Playoffs.
The Broncos have experience with smaller players, and Vaughn is the shortest active player in the league. Again, though, that puts him right in Payton’s wheelhouse as the former New Orleans Saints head coach remakes his vision in Denver.
“The 5-6 Vaughn signs up with Sean Payton, who got great production from 5-6 Darren Sproles from 2011-13 w/Saints,” 9News’ Mike Klis posted on X while confirming the signing.
Payton said if he could add one of his former players to the 2025 Broncos, it would be Sproles, who agrees with the comp and has praised and pushed for Vaughn to receive more playing time.
Sproles won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017.
He logged over 420 touches for 3,048 yards and 21 touchdowns under Payton. He played a crucial part in what Payton calls the “joker” in his offense, which requires a versatile skill set and has been filled by backs like current backs J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey.
The Broncos could be the best place for Vaughn, whose father is a scout for the Cowboys, to reach his full potential in the NFL, thanks largely to Payton’s expertise with similar players.
Broncos Expected to Call on Backup QB Again
GettyClayton Tune #15 of the Arizona Cardinals and Sam Ehlinger #4 of the Denver Broncos talk after a game.
The Broncos will leave the rest of their roster as is after signing Vaughn, taking a similar approach as they did against the Titans.
“No corresponding move here, source says,” The Denver Post’s Luca Evans reported on X. “#Broncos will promote QB3 Sam Ehlinger to active roster again for Week 2 v. Indianapolis, leaves a spot open on PS.”
Ehlinger can dress on game days but not count toward the 53-player limit.
Perhaps Vaughn can get up to speed with whatever the Broncos want from him and can see the field as soon as this coming week against the Indianapolis Colts.
