Packers cut RB Knile Davis

The Green Bay Packers are still figuring out all their options at running back, but one they won't consider is Knile Davis.

Sent to the Packers from Kansas City for a conditional 2018 seventh-round draft pick on Oct. 18, Davis was released Monday.

"Obviously, we appreciate everything that Knile did," offensive coordinator Edgar Bennett said. "Outstanding work ethic and really good young man, so we wish him the best."

The Packers dealt for Davis after they realized starter Eddie Lacy's ankle injury was worse than they thought and running back James Starks would be out several weeks due to knee surgery.

In two games, Davis was barely used, carrying five times for 5 yards, catching two passes for 4 yards and returning one kickoff for 18 yards.

At the same time they traded for Davis, the Packers also signed Don Jackson from the practice squad and began using receiver Ty Montgomery as more than just a fill-in. Then, against Atlanta, fullback Aaron Ripkowski emerged as a viable option, carrying six times for 34 yards.

"He did a nice job," Bennett said of Ripkowski. "You go back and look at some of the positives coming out of the game and he did a really nice job running the football, broke some tackles, finished moving forward, played with really good pad level.

"And then you look at our offensive line, the way they covered the football and pushed the pile and finished. Those are a lot of positives we can build on."

The release of Davis also could be a sign that Starks is getting closer to a return. Last week, he worked out on the side during practice for the first time since having surgery Oct. 16.

But Bennett said that he still expected Jackson to be part of the running game despite six carries for 16 yards in two games.

"It’s more about opportunities and, certainly, it started last week and he’ll get more this week," Bennett said. "It just comes down to making the most of the opportunities."

As a result of releasing Davis now, the Packers won't owe the Chiefs a draft pick because he wasn't on the roster long enough to meet conditions of the trade, a source familiar with the deal said.