Packers Activate Josiah Deguara From PUP List
Tight end Josiah Deguara is ready to return from 2020's ACL injury.
According to NFL Reporter Aaron Wilson, Green Bay Packers' tight end Josiah Deguara passed his physical and is off the PUP list. Deguara will return for the remainder of training camp after working his way back from an ACL injury suffered in week five of last season. This summer, Deguara has been seen doing individual work off to the side of OTAs and practice. The second-year tight end looked appeared close to returning while running and making cuts during rehab work. Now that Green Bay has him back, he should provide a boost to the offense.
The Packers are still trying to determine what they have in their 2020 third-round draft pick, who appeared in just two games in 2020, finishing with one reception for 12 yards.
Even though Deguara played 31 snaps on offense snaps, he showed potential as a movable piece in Matt LaFleur’s offense. Deguara has a unique skill set that allows him to bring a lot of versatility to the table. Last year, he lined up as an H-back where he proved to be an effective blocker that showed upside as a receiver.
Now Deguara can continue to build on what was headed for a solid rookie season. Deguara is a tremendous fit for LaFleur’s system, which is similar to Kyle Shanahan's offense in San Francisco. If he can stay healthy, it will be interesting to see if Deguara can grow into Green Bay's version of Kyle Juszczyk. The 49ers' utility fullback has been named to five Pro Bowls and is known for lining up all over the field.
Expect the Packers to ease Deguara back into the mix, but he should be on the field for Thursday's practice.
Brandon Carwile is a Packers writer who also enjoys watching and breaking down film. Follow him on Twitter @PackerScribe.
Comments (23)
Coldworld
August 04, 2021 at 05:50 pm
Good
porupack
August 04, 2021 at 06:16 pm
Good
HawkPacker
August 04, 2021 at 06:51 pm
That is great news. Last year I was so looking forward to what he could add to the offense based on how happy the FO was in drafting him and his comparison to Juszczk of SF.
I was very disappointed in him getting injured last year and hope his injury is behind him.
Since'61
August 04, 2021 at 07:25 pm
Good news! A key piece for MLFs offense.
Thanks, Since ‘61
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
August 04, 2021 at 08:25 pm
Just seems things just keep falling in place. The pieces certainly seem to be their for a strong SB run. If the Pack fall short once again I believe there will more hearts broken than in either of the past few seasons.
jeremyjjbrown
August 04, 2021 at 08:43 pm
Hell yeah.
GatorJason
August 04, 2021 at 09:24 pm
GI Joe with Kung Fu Grip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPyq_Y6mSWQ
Resemblance is uncanny.
GI Jo Deguara action figure now starring at Lambeau Field
jeremyjjbrown
August 04, 2021 at 10:11 pm
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uI4fVgVVpiw
Stroh
August 04, 2021 at 10:43 pm
They've been using his PUP status to ease him back into it. They wouldn't have activated him unless he's ready to go full bore. Time to get him working hard at his craft and into his full time role.
It's GO time for Deguara!
Ferrari-Driver
August 04, 2021 at 11:08 pm
Deguara should have the words "Football Player" tattooed on his forehead.
He seems to love the game, has an abundance of enthusiasm, and is the kind of football player fans can grow to love.
NickPerry
August 05, 2021 at 06:14 am
I really like this kid. When he was drafted and many Packers fans lost their minds, the first thing I did is look at his tape, or what I could find. What I saw was a guy who gave 100% on 100% of the plays he was on the field. You HAVE to love a guy who gives his all 100% of the time.
Next up was the block against the Vikings where he took out TWO Viking defenders with one block on Lazards 19 yard end around. He quickly became one of my favorites. I can see this guy being a fan favorite much like John Kuhn only with more stats.
EddieLeeIvory
August 05, 2021 at 06:38 am
If he becomes half as good as all the hype he gets here at CHTV, we're going to have a Pro-Bowler for years to come & a candidate for Canton in about 20 years.
croatpackfan
August 05, 2021 at 07:07 am
Josiah, shortned Josh, how it is pronounce in English means "more" in Croatian. We should se more from Josh, I'm certain.
PeteK
August 05, 2021 at 09:36 am
Dobro
croatpackfan
August 05, 2021 at 10:31 am
Thanks - hvala... ;-)
mattgsx
August 05, 2021 at 08:12 am
This is great news! I don't expect him to put up huge numbers or become our #1 TE, but this kid adds some new wrinkles to the offense that defenses must account for, and adds another dimension blocking that should aid both the running and short pass game. This bodes well to having the sweeps, touch passes, end arounds, and pitch pass plays be a bigger part of the offense, forcing defenses to react to the movement they are seeing in the backfield.
Stroh
August 05, 2021 at 09:26 am
He's not a TE, he's an HBack. Tonyan is the TE, as a reciever and will continue to be. Deguara's role is as much blocker as it is reciever. So he won't become the #1 TE since that is not his position nor his role in the offense!
PeteK
August 05, 2021 at 09:40 am
Coupled with our slots, it could make opposing defenses stir crazy.
RCPackerFan
August 05, 2021 at 09:42 am
Deguara adds another dimension to the offense. After Deguara got hurt we saw them get Daffney and use him in that role. But Deguara is definitely an upgrade. HIs ability as blocker and receiver will definitely open up the offense more.
Getting another piece to an already scary offense should really put fear in opponents.
PackfanNY
August 05, 2021 at 10:36 am
This is a young and inexperienced player coming off a bad injury. Hopefully, he’ll start to show some of what they saw in his game. Major contributor this year? I’ll wait a little before committing to that.
flackcatcher
August 05, 2021 at 12:08 pm
Lafleur calls the position F-Back in his offensive scheme. Mainly for all the blocking as the lead back in his run game. Packers are still going to need someone who can play the FB role in their two back sets. (I can't think of the name of the guy they just put on PUP. [DAFFNEY! Thanks RC] That looks like their stashing a player away for later. Sneaky sneaky Gute...) Still, like all above I really like Deguara. He's just a smart football player, and no team can have enough of those guys.
White92
August 05, 2021 at 02:59 pm
Never has so much been made by so many for so little.
WestWi_Packfan
August 06, 2021 at 11:50 pm
The media and coaching staff have really hyped this guy up since he was drafted but its hard to believe he will make that big of a difference in his first full season. While I remain optimistic I will withhold judgement of his value until we have witnessed a bigger sample of his play. I hope we have another John Kuhn but its hard to say just yet.