Packers sign former divisional rival LB Eric Wilson before Week 5 game

Green Bay Packers are adding depth before their Week 5 game

The Green Bay Packers continued to add to their roster this season. The Packers are adding a former divisional rival to the roster before their Week 5 game in London.

According to the Packers’ statement, they signed linebacker Eric Wilson to the roster Tuesday. Wilson was on the New Orleans practice squad before the Packers signed him. The Packers statement mentions his career contributions on special teams:

On special teams, he posted 26 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a blocked punt and a blocked extra point. He has also appeared in four postseason games with two starts, recording 13 tackles (nine solo), a QB hit and a special teams tackle. He will wear No. 45 for the Packers.

This is an excellent pick-up by Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst. Wilson has played in 78 games in the NFL since he came into the league in 2017. Wilson has three interceptions and two forced fumbles in his career. He started 15 games in 2020 and had a career-high 122 tackles.

Wilson was a former undrafted free agent

The Minnesota Vikings signed Wilson in 2017 as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Cincinnati. He played for the Vikings for four years. Wilson has since made stops with the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, and New Orleans Saints.

While with the Vikings, Wilson recovered an Aaron Rodgers fumble that allowed the Vikings to beat the Packers in the 2020 season. We’ll see how the Packers plan to use him before their Week 5 game.