Packers release QB Joe Callahan to make room for Aaron Rodgers

GREEN BAY – Adding quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the 53-man roster will cost the Green Bay Packers one of their other quarterbacks Saturday.

According to a source, the Packers released Joe Callahan to make room for Rodgers, who is being activated from injured reserve under the “designated to return” rule.

Callahan’s release isn’t totally surprising.

The Packers don’t need three quarterbacks heading into their game against Carolina on Sunday and rather than cut someone who might be able to help them over the final three weeks of the season, they’ll risk someone claiming Callahan on waivers.

Rodgers became eligible to return from injured reserve Saturday and once he got cleared Tuesday night, putting him on the 53-man roster was just a formality.

He will be the second of the Packers’ injured reserve players to be returned to the 53, joining tackle Jason Spriggs. Each team is allowed to bring two players back after a minimum of eight weeks on injured reserve.

It’s likely the Packers want Callahan back and are counting on him passing through waivers. They could sign him to their practice squad or the 53 if he is available.

The Packers cut Callahan at the end of training camp and he was not claimed off waivers. There have been lots of quarterback injuries since then and it’s always possible someone will add him now so that they can take a look at him during the offseason.

Callahan has yet to play in a regular-season game. He was Brett Hundley’s backup during the period in which Rodgers was out.

Rodgers was added to the injury report, but it was just a formality because of the collarbone surgery. He was not given a game status, which means he's scheduled to start as expected.