New Green Bay Packers defender Damon “Snacks” Harrison trained with his new team on Thursday and could play on Sunday at the end of the season against the Chicago Bears.
The Packers claimed Harrison of waivers from the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday. He was in the building and was on Thursday.
“This is a great time for us, especially late in the season,” coach Matt LaFleur said Thursday. “It doesn’t happen often.”
Harrison, an all-professional defender of 2016, has been one of the most celebrated defenders in football over the past decade. He is now 32 years old, but the Packers are still confident he can add value as a defender as the qualifiers approach.
LaFleur wasn’t 100 percent sure Harrison would play against the bears, but the door is definitely open for him to make his debut in the Packers at Soldier Field.
“We’ll see how the week goes,” said LaFleur. “It’s always hard to ask someone, but again you’re dealing with a true professional, a veteran who has been around and has seen a lot. It’s just, how quickly can we get him to adapt to what we’re trying to do and what we’re asking him to do.”
LaFleur said Harrison was a “problem to be prevented”, which made him a good fit for the Packers’ line of defense, especially against running.
“I think he can give us a lot in terms of playing on the nose,” said LaFleur. “He’s a really good defender and he’s been for a really long time. I’m just excited about getting into the building.”
Harrison played six matches and 138 takes with the Seahawks, who was relinquished on Tuesday. The Packers tried to add it during the holiday period and again during the season, but Harrison chose Seattle.
In Green Bay, Harrison will get another chance to play for the Super Bowl competitor.
As a true nose treatment or one method, Harrison has to play a fairly direct role in the defensive line.
“I hope he can adapt very quickly,” said LaFleur. “What we heard, he’s a really smart guy, and he clearly has a lot of experience. That usually speeds up the learning curve for these guys.”
