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GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Logan Woodside Jersey Daniel Whelan was folding towels at a California hotel spa around this time last year. Now hes about to become the first native of Ireland in nearly 40 years to play in an NFL game.Hes part of the Green Bay Packers youth movement on special teams. the Packers kicker the past 16 seasons and the leading scorer in franchise history, no longer is on the roster. Neither is a punter with nine seasons of NFL experience.The Packers are going with kicker Anders Carlson, while Whelan handles the punting duties. Neither has played in an NFL game.We had a really competitive camp and we were just looking for the guys who performed the best, general manager Brian Gutekunst said Wednesday. And at the end of the day, thats kind of how it shook out.The Cleveland Browns, in 2019, were the last team to begin a season with a kicker and punter making their debuts. It's happened 13 times since 2000.Green Bay visits Chicago on Sept. 10.Just treat it like every other day, Whelan said. Get better. Thats the goal. You cant get too big in the moment. Just treat it like practice.Green Bay selected Carlson out of Auburn in the sixth round of the draft, signaling it planned to move on from Crosby. Carlson was the Packers only kicker in camp. Crosby, who turns 39 on Sunday Josh Malone Jersey , remains a free agent.The change at punter was more of a surprise. played for Green Bay last year after spending eight seasons with the Chicago Bears. He was beaten out by Whelan, who was born in Dublin before moving to California at the age of 13.Whelan, who started Clayton Fejedelem Jersey playing football his junior year of high school, will become the first Irish-born player to appear in an NFL game since kicker played his final season with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1985.Obviously when you bring in a guy like Daniel who hasnt had a lot of experience, you dont know what youre getting, Gutekunst said. And I think just every step along the way he had a nice camp and earned the job.Whelan had signed with the New Orleans Saints last year as an undrafted free agent from UC Davis before getting cut in late July. He got a job at a hotel spa that lasted a couple of months.I folded towels for about eight hours a day, Whelan recalled.Whelan resumed his playing career with the XFL's D.C. Defenders earlier this year. Now he has a new job that will include serving as the holder on Carlsons kicks.Carlsons preseason showcased his leg strength while also providing hints of the risks that come with using a rookie kicker. He made a 57-yard field goal and a 52-yarder while also mi sing three extra-point attempts.I think theres been a lot of good, Carlson said Saturday after the Packers final exhibition game. Theres been some bad, too. Every day is a learning le son, no matter how good or bad I did.Whelan acknowledged the challenges that come with holding, something he started doing in college. Hes attempting about 250-300 holds per day in camp, but his early holding le sons came in a much different setting.My mom would actually throw me snaps at home, Whelan Kerry Wynn Jersey said. Theyre not good, but it helps you work on bad-ball drills. Just on my knee in the kitchen, shes throwing whatever she can.NOTES: The Packers released linebacker Tariq Carpenter and defensive lineman Jonathan Ford. ... Gutekunst confirmed the Packers have claimed tight end Ben Sims on waivers from the Minnesota Vikings while noting Sims still must pa s a physical. ... The Packers signed tight end Austin Allen, Michael Johnson Jersey cornerbacks Corey Ballentine and Kiondre Thomas, linebackers Keshawn Banks, Arron Mosby and Kenneth Odumegwu, wide receivers Grant DuBose and Bo Melton, center James Empey, safeties Innis Gaines and Benny Sapp III, quarterback Alex McGough, fullback Henry Pearson, defensive lineman Chris Slayton, running back Patrick Taylor and offensive tackle Kadeem Telfort to the practice squad.___AP Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow contributed to this report.___AP NFL: in this topic
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