(Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire)
The Green Bay Packers made somewhat of an important decision on special teams recently.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the team claimed rookie kicker James Turner off of waivers from the rival Detroit Lions.
For all Packers fans, this is a quietly a very big deal.
It is hard to say if Turner will be able to actually win the job in Green Bay, but the competition that he is bringing will be important for the position.
The #Packers claimed K James Turner off waivers from the #Lions.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 20, 2024
After going undrafted out of Michigan last year, Turner originally signed with Detroit after the NFL Draft took place.
He was waived on June 18th and is now headed to Green Bay.
Packers fans know all too well about the importance of the kicking game.
After franchise legend Mason Crosby departed from the organization before last season after 16 years, the team drafted kicker Anders Carlson out of Auburn in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Carlson had his moments but finished 27 of 33 on field goals and missed five extra points.
His most notable miss came in the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional Round against the 49ers last January.
Green Bay would go on to give up the eventual game-winning score after Carlson’s 41-yard miss.
They lost the game 24-21.
He was just a rookie, but NFL kickers need to be at their best when the moments are the biggest.
The team also signed veteran kicker Greg Joseph to compete with Carlson earlier this offseason.
The addition of James Turner will only add to the level of competition in the room.
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