Green Bay Packers rookie tight end Jace Sternberger is heading to the team's injury reserve (IR) list on Tuesday, as ESPN's Field Yates reports.
The 23-year-old Sternberger was selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Packers, seeking reinforcement for the hybrid offensive blocking and pass-catching position.
Sternberger played college football at Texas A&M. The 6-foot-4 TE originally started at Kansas, redshirting his first year before transferring to the Aggies, producing a breakout collegiate season in 2018.
Sternberger recorded 48 receptions his junior year at Texas A&M for 832 yards and 10 touchdowns. This, in the Packers' front office's mind, warranted the third-round pick-up.
Sternberger joins an IR currently occupied by the Packers' 2018 sixth-round pick in wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, journeyman fullback Malcolm Johnson, and tackle Jason Spriggs to round out Green Bay's hurt offensive pieces. Spriggs was added to the IR after going unclaimed when the Pack waived/injured the 25-year-old offensive lineman.
It's unclear what kind of playing time and number of snaps a healthy Sternberger would receive given the current outlook of the Packers' tight end unit. For tight ends coach Jason Outten, the 53-man roster employs star Jimmy Graham, one-time Pro-Bowler Marcedes Lewis, and former undrafted free agent pick-up Robert Tonyan.
So, given former league MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers' options for pass-catching tight ends, Sternberger's future is unfortunately muddied by the quality in front of him—even before he was placed on the IR.
Nevertheless, should Sternberger return promptly from a reported ankle injury, the rookie tight end will need to demonstrate talent to be handed snaps in the vaunted Rodgers-led Pack offense.
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