Packers use running back Ellis Merriweather against Philadelphia Eagles

The Green Bay Packers announced Friday that they will activate practice squad running back Ellis Merriweather for the game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil. Merriweather was signed by the team in Week 9 of last season after previously playing with the New Orleans Saints. He has yet to play in a regular-season NFL game.

With AJ Dillon on the season-ending injured list and both backup running backs MarShawn Lloyd and Emanuel Wilson listed as questionable on the injury report, the opportunity opened up for Merriweather to get playing time. The big, 220-pound running back should be able to step in as a pass protector, a role Dillon previously filled, even if he doesn’t play as a ball carrier. That being said, the fact that Merriweather was the only one playing today likely means one of Lloyd or Wilson will miss this game.

The absence of fullback Andrew Beck, however, should be seen as a good sign for tight end Tucker Kraft. Beck is the only tight end left on the Packers’ practice squad after Messiah Swinson was added to the Carolina Panthers’ 53-man roster earlier this week. Kraft strained his back this week, which might have left the Packers with just two healthy tight ends: Luke Musgrave and Ben Sims.

As a reminder, each NFL club is allotted two game-day raises from the practice squad per week. Individual players are allowed a maximum of three activations from the practice squad during the regular season. Green Bay opted to use only one raise this week, leaving their options open for later this season.

Specifically, that means Malik Willis, the quarterback the team signed just before the cutdown deadline, will be Jordan Love’s backup this week. Sean Clifford, who has been the Packers’ No. 2 quarterback throughout training camp, is not active on the practice squad. If Clifford didn’t get a pat on the back this week, he probably won’t again.