Packers sign former Chargers RB Michael Hill

The Packers, despite the fact that their running game seemed to be alright last year, apparently signed another Running Back yesterday, acquiring former Charger Michael Hill on a one-year contract, NationalFootballPost.com reports. Last season, Hill was on San Diego's roster for a couple weeks in the summer, before being cut on August 31 and never appearing in a regular season/meaningful game. 

Still, in his college career at Missouri Western State U, Hill set a school record with 4,969 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns, so yea, this signing could pay off. It probably won't, but, you know, it could. 

Meet RB Michael Hill, The Newest Addition To The Packers 53-Man Roster

RBs Eddie Lacy, Johnathan Franklin, and James Starks were either out or injured during the Green Bay Packers' last game against the Bengals. Also, FB John Kuhn was out with one of the team's many hamstring injuries.

We won't know for sure how they're doing until the first injury report is posted on Wednesday, but apparently there are some question marks surrounding them because the Packers just added another running back to the active roster.

Packers sign RB Michael Hill to active roster; WR Reggie Dunn takes Hill's spot on practice squad: http://t.co/3ubRNDwOlt
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 30, 2013

My guess is that Hill will be inactive next week because at least three of the four backs will return before next Sunday. But it's now possible that Hill could be needed on the field.

I had hoped they would promote WR Charles Johnson from the practice squad to fill the roster spot opened up by WR Jeremy Ross's release, but the injury situation at running back made depth an issue.

As for Hill, he was one of three finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy (Division II's Heisman) so he had a hell of a college career. Based on his pro day results, at 5-10 and 209 lbs. he's like a slightly slower version (4.60 40 time) of Johnathan Franklin (4.46 40 time). Though not too many players make the leap from Division II into the NFL, one of the notable exceptions is John Kuhn.

Packers Release WR/KR Jeremy Ross

Nothing hurts an undrafted receiver's chances more than bad hands. There are too many fast, athletic players out there to compete against. The occasional big play isn't going to make up for the big turnover, or in the case of WR Jeremy Ross, a fumbled kickoff return.

The Green Bay #Packers have released WR Jeremy Ross: http://t.co/hMXagzTsEJ
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 23, 2013

Having said that, I'm really surprised they released him. I had completely written him off as a return man and I didn't trust him anymore, but I thought he would still have a role as a backup wide receiver. On the other hand, if you're a backup and you can't contribute on special teams, then it's hard to keep a roster spot.

There's not a lot going on this week before the bye, so the Packers might not be in a big hurry to fill Ross's spot. My first hope is that this gives 7th round draft pick WR Charles Johnson a chance to be promoted from the practice squad. He didn't make much noise this preseason as he dealt with injuries and he didn't see too many good passes thrown his way while the Packers struggled finding a backup QB, but I really like his potential as a James Jones type receiver. However, if the running back situation is still such an injury riddled nightmare, the open roster spot be given to practice squad RB Michael Hill. I'm not expecting much from Hill, here's a very good look at him, but they just need a healthy body at this point.