In a move to spark their linebackers corp, the Green Bay Packers today released Tracy White and signed linebacker Danny Lansanah from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. The Packers announced the move in a release.
With A.J. Hawk slowed by a groin injury, the Packers probably are looking to Lansanah to help shore up the team's leaky run defense. White, who played in 32 games for the Packers, has mainly been used on special teams — where he had six tackles this season and a team-high 33 the previous two seasons — and as an extra linebacker near the goal line.
The Packers have surrendered at least 175 or more rushing yards in each of their last four games. Nick Barnett, Brady Poppinga and Brandon Chillar have been ineffective. Lansanah had nine tackles in the preseason and one pass defensed. He figures to play on most, if not all, of the special teams.
Lansanah (6-foot-1, 248 pounds) signed with Green Bay as a rookie free agent from the University of Connecticut on May 2. He played in all four preseason games and has spent the first five weeks of the season on the team's practice squad, so he knows the scheme as well as anyone.
Lansanah will wear No. 58.