The Jets claimed troubled Packers defensive lineman Mike Pennel off the waiver wire, a source confirmed to NJ Advance Media.
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Pennel, 25, has proven to be a solid contributor when on the field, but his off-field issues have been alarming. He twice violated the NFL’s substance abuse policy last year, which resulted in league suspensions for the first four and last four games of the season.
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy initially backed the troubled defensive lineman, but Green Pay then released him on Jan. 9.
“It’s disappointing professionally,” McCarthy said, via PackersNews.com. “But personally, Mike has an issue. And it’s important, it’s the focus of our football program, to help him through this time. That’s really my focus, and that’s really the conversation that I had with Mike Pennel.”
Pennel originally signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He made the team as a long shot, and went on to appear in 13 games. In 2015, he played in each game with five starts. Pennel had a career-high 25 tackles and one sack that season.
Pennel finished with an overall PFF grade of 75.3 in 2015, and 73.2 in 2014.
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If truly devoted to football, Pennel can help a Jets defensive line that, while tremendous with Leonard Williams, Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson, doesn’t have much depth. Outside of those three, Steve McLendon is the only other player under contract with more than two years of NFL experience.
Pennel, who stands 6-4 and weighs 332 pounds, played mostly nose tackle for the Packers. The Jets never replaced their own nose tackle, Damon Harrison, after he signed with the Giants last offseason.
They have Deon Simon and McLendon under contract heading into next year, but neither is a true nose tackle.
ESPN first reported the Jets claimed Pennel.
Connor Hughes may be reached at chughes@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connor_J_Hughes. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.
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