Green Bay Packers sign linebacker Marvin Pierre

The Green Bay Packers announced the signing of linebacker Marvin Pierre on Monday leading up to the final preseason game of the year. Pierre went undrafted out of Kent State this year before signing his original training camp deal with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cardinals released the 6-foot-2, 222-pound rookie in early June, freeing him up to sign with a new franchise.

At Kent State, Pierre played in 25 games over two seasons, recording 149 tackles (86 solo), 11 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, an interception and two forced fumbles. He was a transfer from Murray State. In 2020, he tallied 29 tackles (17 solo), four tackles for a loss, a sack, an interception, a pass defensed and a forced fumble.

Pierre’s journey to the NFL has been a long and arduous road. Prior to Murray State, he played one season at Butler Community College following a redshirt year in 2018 at Fort Scott Community College.

The Packers announced that the new linebacker will wear No. 54. He’ll have his first opportunity to play when Green Bay hosts Seattle at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday. The Packers are planning to start multiple first-teamers versus the Seahawks, including quarterback Jordan Love.

Packers LB De’Vondre Campbell’s injury not considered serious

The Packers provided some good news this week on linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, as Green Bay awaits his return from an ankle injury.

Last week, Campbell missed joint practices with the New England Patriots, as well as the team’s preseason game against the franchise. However, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst isn’t concerned with any long-term effects on Campbell, as he explained to the media.

“It’s not a long-term thing,” Gutekunst said Friday, via Zach Kruse of Packers Wire. “He’s a seasoned pro so I don’t think this will hold him back much.”

That’s great news for Green Bay. Campbell has been a stud for the Packers since coming to the franchise in 2021, truly breaking out after playing for the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals prior. He’s going to be a huge part of the defense once again in 2023, so a healthy ankle will certainly be needed.

In his stead, third-year linebacker Isaiah McDuffie received some extra reps. While he’s not pushing Campbell for his job, it was beneficial to McDuffie to get some extra work in, and it’s helped him get ready for the upcoming season.

“It was very (beneficial),” McDuffie told Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com. “Any snaps I get I feel like are very, very critical for my development and for me to take that next step.”

On3’s Steve Samra contributed to this report.