The Packers have been in the market for help at inside linebacker after losing veteran Jake Ryan to a season-ending knee injury earlier this month.

Although rookie Oren Burks appears to have avoided a significant shoulder injury in Oakland, General Manager Brian Gutekunst took out an extra insurance policy in acquiring Morrison for second-year cornerback Lenzy Pipkins on Sunday.

Gutekunst scouted Morrison in 2016 and liked what he saw from the 6-foot-1, 244-pound linebacker coming out of the University of Florida. Morrison now joins another 2016 draft classmate, Blake Martinez, as the stewards of a young inside linebacker room in Green Bay that also includes converted safety Ahmad Thomas and undrafted rookie Greer Martini.

"Antonio's a veteran linebacker with a bit of experience," Gutekunst said. "Coming into camp, I think we were a little light in the experience department at inside linebacker. So it's something we've kind of been looking at.

"I scouted Antonio coming out. He was kind of the heartbeat of that team coming out of Florida. A lot of passion, very physical. He loves to play ball. It'll be good to get him out there and see how he fits in."

Morrison is no stranger to overcoming the odds. He suffered a significant knee injury at the end of his junior season in college, which made some doctors fearful he may not walk again.

Instead, Morrison pushed through the rehab and returned in time for his senior year at Florida. He didn't miss a start and led the Gators in tackles (103) for the second consecutive year.

"They told me there was a chance I might not play again with that surgery. I didn't look at it that way," Morrison said. "I knew what my goals were. I knew I was going to battle through whatever."

Morrison said no decision has been made whether he'll play in Thursday night's preseason finale in Kansas City, but he's doing whatever it takes to be ready even if it requires a few late nights.

Once he gets the defense down, Morrison says he's excited to see how his play-to-the-whistle approach to the game can benefit Green Bay's defense.