GREEN BAY — As Edgar Bennett was talking about rookie Kregg Lumpkin after practice Monday, it was as if he was describing someone who is the polar opposite of DeShawn Wynn.

"I like his attitude, I like his mind-set. It matters to him," Bennett, the Green Bay Packers running backs coach, said of Lumpkin, an undrafted free agent from Georgia whose college career was derailed by injuries.

"When he steps out here on the practice field, it means something to him. We're going to get everything he has on the practice field, and then he's going to take it from the practice field to the game. What more can you ask for out of a young kid?"

When someone pointed out to Bennett that it sounded like Wynn, who was among four players released by the team Monday, needs to be more like Lumpkin if he wants to succeed in the NFL, Bennett smiled, then bit his tongue.

"I'd just say this: He needs to stay healthy," Bennett said.

As a rookie seventh-round pick last year, Wynn — labeled an underachiever during his college career at Florida — started four of the Packers' first seven games. He rushed for a team-high 203 yards and four touchdowns before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury Oct. 28 at Denver.

Wynn, who missed practice time during camp last year with a stomach virus and a quadriceps injury, made the 53-man roster with a strong performance in the preseason finale against Tennessee. He won't get a chance to duplicate that feat this year after missing the past two games with a sprained ankle suffered in the exhibition opener against Cincinnati on Aug. 11.

The Packers likely will keep two halfbacks behind starter Ryan Grant and backup Brandon Jackson, and Vernand Morency, Noah Herron and Lumpkin are all running ahead of Wynn.

General manager Ted Thompson, who never criticizes players upon their release, chose his words carefully when asked why Wynn, who flashed talent in a Sept. 16 victory over the New York Giants (two rushing touchdowns) and an Oct. 7 loss to the Chicago Bears (13 carries for 78 yards and a TD), didn't fully realize his potential with the Packers.

"The NFL is a tough business and people get hurt. Sometimes guys have worse luck than others," Thompson said of Wynn, who missed a total of nine practices and two preseason games this year with the ankle and a mild concussion. "But in this league you have to be available. That's part of the requirement."

Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy praised Wynn's work in the offseason conditioning program, but said that in the end, it wasn't enough.

In addition to Wynn, the Packers cut wide receiver Chris Francies, fullback Ryan Powdrell and offensive lineman Ryan Considine and placed defensive tackle Justin Harrell on the physically unable to perform list to get down to the NFL-mandated 75-player roster limit.

The final roster reduction is Saturday.

Go with the flow

Jason Spitz isn't sure where he'll end up on opening day — right guard, center or left guard — but the third-year pro is sure that he's among the Packers' best five offensive linemen.

"I think so," said Spitz, who will start his third preseason game at center Thursday against Tennessee. "But quite honestly, the only job I have is to come in and do what they ask."

Rookie guard Josh Sitton, who had been starting at right guard before suffering a knee injury Friday night at Denver, said his knee felt "good," but claimed not to know which ligament he sprained.

Thompson said he's not "overly concerned" about the uncertainty on the offensive line.

Extra points

With the focus of Thursday's preseason finale on playing the backups extensively, snaps for quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the starters were limited in practice Monday. "I'd rather actually take a few more reps. But I realize that the younger guys are going to get some more reps this week, so it's good for them to see a lot of different looks and get more reps in practice," Rodgers said. ... Linebacker Brandon Chillar (lower back) missed his second straight practice, and with A.J. Hawk (chest) still out, middle linebacker Desmond Bishop got more work outside.