The Green Bay Packers are signing rookie linebacker Chris Russell on Tuesday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC-2 in Houston.
Russell, who saw action in 57 career games, went undrafted out of Texas A&M in 2024. Per Wilson, Russell was in Green Bay for a workout on Tuesday.
The Packers are dealing with injuries at linebacker. Rookie Edgerrin Cooper — a teammate of Russell’s at Texas A&M — and rookie Ty’Ron Hopper have both missed time, and Quay Walker might be dealing with a new injury. Cooper hasn’t practiced since the week before Family Night and Hopper only returned to practice in a limited capacity on Tuesday, while Walker wasn’t available for 11-on-11 work on Tuesday.
Russell’s best season came in 2022, when he created 66 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, 10 pressures and 33 stops across 13 starts and 685 snaps. He was named the defense’s most improved player. In 2023, Russell produced 30 tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception for the Aggies over just 321 snaps.
At Texas A&M’s pro day, Russell (6-0, 235) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.55 seconds, hit 35.5″ in the vertical leap, covered 10-1 in the broad jump, did 20 bench press reps and finished the three-cone drill in 7.13 seconds. Russell’s Relative Athletic Score is 8.58 out of 10.0.
The Packers have a full roster and would need to make a corresponding roster move to fit Russell.
