Ty Montgomery goes on IR; Quarless activated
Ty Montgomery’s frustrating season is over.
The Green Bay Packers placed the rookie receiver on injured reserve Monday to activate tight end Andrew Quarless from temporary injured reserve. Montgomery aggravated his recurring high-ankle sprain last week and missed his eighth consecutive game.
The third-round pick got off to a promising start to his rookie season with 15 catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns in his first six games. His 6-foot, 216-pound frame provided a nice complement to Randall Cobb as a slot receiver and occasional running back.
Montgomery also helped breathe life into the Packers’ stagnant kickoff return with a 31.1-yard average on his seven returns. He tweaked his ankle in a 27-20 win over San Diego on Oct. 18. He attempted a return in mid-November before aggravating it during a padded practice on Nov. 19.
Montgomery returned on a limited basis two weeks ago before sustaining another setback on Wednesday. Admittedly frustrated, he said last week: “I’m kind of fed up with the process.”
Quarless has missed the last 11 games since tearing his medial collateral ligament against Kansas City in Week 14. He has only two catches for 14 yards this year, but has started 26 of 58 games played for Green Bay.
Quarless returned to practice two weeks ago and was awaiting clearance from team doctors. Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he made significant progress each week. Now, his activation gives the Packers an extra threat in the passing game and their best blocking tight end.
The sixth-year tight end could still be subject to NFL discipline for his July 4 arrest for discharging a gun in public. He reached a plea agreement last month, which included him paying a $1,000 fine and a receiving a year of probation.
As a third-round pick, Montgomery has a split-salary clause in his contract if he ends up on injured reserve. So he’ll make $18,705.88 per week for the last two weeks of the regular season instead of the $25,588.24 he was making previously.
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