Quarless says his season is over
Andrew Quarless’ season is over.
That’s according to an Instagram post that the sixth-year tight end uploaded on Thursday evening.
Quarless, 27, spent 11 games on temporary injured reserve with a torn medial collateral ligament that he sustained in Week 3 against Kansas City. He returned three weeks ago against Arizona, but wound up back on the injury report this week with a knee injury.
The Packers listed Quarless as a limited participant in practice this week, so you wouldn’t be able to tell whether he dropped out of practice on Thursday based on the injury report alone. Additionally, ESPN.com reported that Quarless recently had a procedure done to drain fluid from the knee.
Quarless’ agent, Chris Cabott, didn’t immediately return messages.
It ends what’s been a disappointing year for Quarless, who was arrested July 4 for discharging a firearm in public. He reached a plea agreement in November, which resulted in him paying a $1,000 fine and receiving one year of probation. He’s still subject to possible league discipline.
Later that month, Quarless missed the start of training camp following the death of his daughter during birth. He got off to a slow start to the season – two catches for 14 yards – before injuring his knee against the Chiefs. He’s scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
The Packers likely will place Quarless on injured reserve Friday before Saturday night’s divisional playoff game against Arizona. The top candidates to fill his roster spot could be practice-squad receiver Ed Williams or tight end Mitchell Henry.
It would make sense for the Packers to promote Williams (6-0, 196) with Davante Adams (knee) unlikely to play. They're already down two other receivers with Jordy Nelson (knee) and rookie Ty Montgomery (ankle) on injured reserve.
If Adams doesn’t play, that would leave the Packers with only four receivers (Randall Cobb, James Jones, Jared Abbrederis and Jeff Janis) on their 53-man roster. Williams impressed the organization after being a late add in training camp and then spent the entire year on Green Bay’s practice squad.
The Packers have three tight ends on the active roster (Richard Rodgers, Justin Perillo and Kennard Backman), but could promote Henry (6-4, 252) if they want a fourth to fill Quarless’ void at tight end. The former Western Kentucky standout impressed many inside the organization this summer, including special-teams coach Ron Zook.
Henry, 23, probably would’ve been on the practice squad all season if Denver hadn’t claimed him after final cuts. He spent the first five weeks of the season with the Broncos before he was released on Oct. 14. Henry signed onto the Packers’ practice squad two days later.
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