We already knew Nick Barnett would be leaving the Packers once teams can officially start releasing people and now we know he won’t be alone.
Jason Wilde of ESPN Wisconsin reported that the team will also release defensive lineman Justin Harrell and linebacker Brady Poppinga on Thursday.
Poppinga’s agent said Wednesday that he had no indication from the team that his client would be cut. Poppinga had a cap number of $2.5 million this season as part of a long-term deal he signed before the 2008 season. He was a starter back then, but lost his job in the first unit and then missed all but six games of last season after his second major ACL injury.
Harrell was due to make $1.225 million, although they have to eat $530,000 in cap space because of an earlier option bonus. He was likely an easy choice for the axe after another injury-shortened season. Harrell played just one game in 2010 before heading to injured reserve with a knee injury and has only played 14 games for the team since he was a first-round pick in 2007.
Wilde later tweeted that at least two more Packers would be released before the day is out, so stay tuned.