Packers designate rookie LB Collin Oliver for return from IR

In addition to running back MarShawn Lloyd and defensive end Brenton Cox Jr., the Green Bay Packers also designated rookie linebacker Collin Oliver for return from injured reserve, opening his 21-day practice window on Monday.

Oliver, a fifth-round pick out of Oklahoma State, missed all of training camp and the first 13 weeks of the regular season because of a hamstring injury that required surgery.

As a rookie who has missed almost everything on the field since arriving in Green Bay, Oliver will almost certainly need a long ramp-up period before the Packers think about activating him to the 53-man roster. But at least the process is off the ground, and the rookie now has his chance to return to the practice field and potentially find a role to end the regular season.

The Packers see Oliver as a combo player who line up as an edge rusher or at off-ball linebacker. He is undersized at 6-1 and 240 pounds, but he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds and had impressive jumps at the NFL Scouting Combine, highlighting his explosive movement ability. It's possible the Packers could use him in some pass-rushing situations or on special teams if he's activated.

From Packers director of scouting Milt Hendrickson during the draft: "You turn the (2023) tape on him and you can see he’s got a twitch and explosiveness off the edge that brings a little bit more of a unique skill set that way. He’s also got some versatility that’s going to allow him to potentially play some stack (linebacker) and then he brings incredible special teams value with his whole skill set.”

The Packers currently have Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty'Ron Hopper and Kristian Welch on the roster at linebacker, although Oliver's versatility and potential on special teams could provide a pathway to the roster if injuries hit over the next three weeks.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers designate rookie LB Collin Oliver for return from IR