After a player on the Physically Unable to Perform list returns to practice following Week Six, the player’s team has three weeks either to add him to the active roster or to place him on season-ending injured reserve.
There’s also a third option. The team can cut him.
Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee reports that the Packers will be releasing Harris today.
“Yes, that is what they are going to do,” Harris told Wilde via text message. “I lost my job to injury, but I have only good things to say about Green Bay and everyone I worked with.”
Though Harris believes he lost his job due to last year’s torn ACL, he technically can’t be cut if he’s still injured now. The fact that he left the PUP list three weeks ago means that he passed a physical. Unless he has suffered a new injury within the past three weeks, he’ll have no recourse. If he has sustained a new injury, he’ll be able to file an injury grievance against the Packers.
Assuming Harris is still healthy, the reality is that the Packers don’t need him. With Charles Woodson still chugging along and Tramon Williams arguably eclipsing Woodson and rookie Sam Shields coming along nicely (he had an impressive interception in Sunday night’s 45-7 win over the Cowboys), Harris may not have gotten on the field much if he hadn’t been cut.
Since the move comes after the trading deadline, Harris and the balance of his $2.5 million salary will be exposed to waivers. If he clears, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent.