Ryan Krause is hoping to make the most of another opportunity to prove that he belongs in the NFL on a regular basis. Krause was promoted today bythe Packers to the active roster from the practice squad to fill in for the injured Bubba Franks.
Krause’s experience, though limited, should enable him to contribute when the Packers return to action next Monday night in Denver against the Broncos. Krause spent three seasons with San Diego, which selected him in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL draft, but he sustained a foot injury and was placed on injured reserve in November of 2005. Krause has played in five career games with five career catches for 81 yards and one touchdown.
With Donald Lee as the only other tight end on the Packers roster, coach Mike McCarthy said today that Franks’ absence puts a kink the team’s game-planning for the Broncos.
“One thing that has affected me to see as we’ve gone through the game-planning the last couple days (is) the flexibility to get in and out of personnel groups,” McCarthy said. “I think Bubba is having an excellent year and hopefully will be back as quick as possible. Once again, it’s an opportunity for Ryan Krause. He had a good day today (in practice), too. He had a couple of nice catches, so it will be an opportunity for him to step up, but Bubba is very experienced, and there are particular things that he does very well. Frankly, we as coaches and myself in particular need to do a better job of putting him in those positions. We need to do the same with Ryan Krause.”
Krause has been on Green Bay’s practice squad since early September when he was released by the Cleveland Browns in their final cutdown. Though he often works on the scout team instead of with the first- and second-team offenses, Krause said he has a pretty good feel for the offense. During part of the recent bye week, he worked with tight ends coach Ben McAdoo to get more comfortable with the plays.
“The offense is good. I’m picking it up,” Krause said. “I have a great coach (McAdoo). He’s been telling me all the little points that are a big part of football. You always get the big picture and the plays, but there’s always the little stuff that goes along with the plays and that’s what I needed this week for the game.”
Krause has some experience against the Broncos. He played on special teams in two games with the Chargers against the Broncos. He also played most of a preseason game this year in Denver while he was with the Browns.
“I think my experience from San Diego helps me out a lot,” Krause said. “I’m not young. I’ve played in some games, so it’s not like a total eye opener. I’m ready to suit it up and I’m ready to go.”