Packers transactions: Packers add kicker, tight end to practice squad
JR RadcliffeHere's how the Green Bay Packers' 53-man roster has changed during the 2022 season. See the practice squad below.
Jan. 3: Packers add kicker, tight end to practice squad
The Packers added kicker Matt Ammendola and tight end Austin Allen to the practice squad, taking the two vacant spots on the 16-player list.
Ammendola is a necessary addition after kicker Ramiz Ahmed was injured warming up before the Vikings game; he'd been elevated from the practice squad to handle kickoffs instead of Mason Crosby, but Crosby returned to that familiar role with Ahmed out.
Ammendola, who joined the league last year, played in 11 games for the Jets last year and made 13 of 19 field goals. He was released after the season and briefly spent time with Kansas City and Arizona, playing in a total of four games with two at each stop.
Allen signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022 with the Giants and spent six weeks on the Giants' practice squad. He was a standout at the University of Nebraska.
Jan. 1: Game-day inactives
- Krys Barnes, linebacker
- Jonathan Ford, defensive tackle
- Tyler Goodson, running back
- Shemar Jean-Charles, cornerback
- Caleb Jones, offensive line
- Bo Melton, wide receiver
- Rasheed Walker, offensive line
Goodson was elevated from the practice squad but subsequently left inactive when the Packers received word that Keisean Nixon would be available to play. Melton was just added to the 53-man roster this week. The rest have been recurring placements on the game-day inactive list.
Dec. 31: Packers elevate two players from practice squad, including kicker
- ELEVATED: Ramiz Ahmed, kicker (second elevation)
- ELEVATED: Tyler Goodson, running back (first elevation)
The Packers elected to use Ahmed on kickoffs, but Ahmed was hurt during warmups and ultimately didn't play against Minnesota. Goodson wound up as a game-day inactive, likely because game-time decision Keisean Nixon was available to play. Ahmed, if healthy, can be elevated for the final game of the season and not yet added to the 53-man roster.
Dec. 31: Packers lose Micah Abernathy to Atlanta Falcons
For the first time this season, a player was signed off the Packers practice squad when safety Micah Abernathy was picked up by the Atlanta Falcons and signed to the 53-man roster.
Abernathy made the original 53-man roster out of camp but was an immediate roster casualty when the Packers signed Rudy Ford. Abernathy eventually saw action as an elevated player in two games, the season opener and Dec. 3 against Chicago. Abernathy is a native of Atlanta and attended the University of Tennessee before signing in the NFL as an undrafted free agent, first in 2019 before spending time in the USFL.
His departure leaves one open spot on the 16-man practice squad.
Dec. 27: Packers place Dean Lowry on injured reserve and add receiver
- IN: Bo Melton, wide receiver (signed from Seattle practice squad)
- OUT: Dean Lowry, defensive tackle (injured reserve)
- OUT: Tipa Galeai, linebacker (released from injured reserve)
Lowry was injured against the Miami Dolphins and now will see his regular season come to an end, with players lost to injured reserve needing to wait four weeks before returning to action. In his place, first-round draft choice Devonte Wyatt showed well and will presumably see more playing time going forward.
To take Lowry's place on the 53-man roster, the Packers signed former Rutgers receiver Bo Melton off the Seattle Seahawks practice squad. Melton was drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Dec. 25: Game-day inactives
- David Bakhtiari, offensive line
- Jonathan Ford, defensive tackle
- Jonathan Garvin, defensive end
- Shemar Jean-Charles, cornerback
- Caleb Jones, offensive line
Bakhtiari was doubtful coming into the game; the others have been regulars on the game-day inactive list.
Dec. 19: Game-day inactives
- David Bakhtiari, offensive line
- Krys Barnes, linebacker
- Jonathan Ford, defensive line
- Shemar Jean-Charles, linebacker
- Caleb Jones, offensive line
David Bakhtiari was missing a second straight game after an emergency appendectomy. Barnes is a healthy inactive for the second straight game.
Dec. 19: Sammy Watkins released
OUT: Sammy Watkins, wide receiver (released)IN: Patrick Taylor, running back (signed from practice squad)
The Packers parted ways with veteran receiver Sammy Watkins, who played just 11 snaps over the team's previous two games.
Watkins, signed as a free agent before the season, perceptively isn't as crucial to have on the roster with the emergence of Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs returning from injury. Watkins finished the season with 13 catches for 206 yards and no touchdowns.
Few players have been as back and forth this season as Taylor, who has now been added to the active roster for a third time. He was released and re-added to the practice squad the previous two visits, but he's been elevated to the active roster while serving on the practice squad three times this season and wouldn't be able to play again without holding a spot on the 53-man roster.
Dec. 14: Caleb Jones activated from non-football illness list
IN: Caleb Jones, offensive line (activated from non-football illness list)
Offensive lineman Caleb Jones returned to the active 53-man roster after spending several weeks on the non-football injury list, where he has been since early October. With an open spot on the roster, there was no corresponding move. Jones has not seen the field this season for the Packers and has not yet been active on gameday.
Dec. 13: Changes to practice squad include Jack Heflin
- IN: Jean Delance, offensive line (to practice squad)
- IN: Michael Menet, offensive line (to practice squad)
- OUT: Jack Heflin, defensive tackle (from practice squad)
- OUT: Dede Westbrook, wide receiver (from practice squad)
The Packers added a tackle in Delance and a center in Menet, the latter of whom had previously spent time on the practice squad in 2021. It's his second year in the league, while Delance is a rookie. Heflin played in four games for the Packers in 2021 but was released after the season, then added to the practice squad at the outset of 2022.
Dec. 4: Game-day inactives
- David Bakhtiari, offensive line
- Krys Barnes, linebacker
- Romeo Doubs, wide receiver
- Jonathan Ford, defensive tackle
- Shemar Jean-Charles, cornerback
- Darnell Savage, safety
Bakhtiari was out after an appendectomy. Doubs practiced but wasn't quite ready to return from injury and missed a fourth straight game. It was Savage's first missed game after a foot injury last week. Barnes has battled injuries all year but wasn't given an injury designation heading into the week.
Dec. 3: Abernathy, Taylor elevated from practice squad
- ELEVATED: Patrick Taylor, running back (third elevation)
- ELEVATED: Micah Abernathy, safety (second elevation)
The Packers elevated Patrick Taylor as the third running back for the battle against the Bears. He's spent two stints on the 53-man roster already this season, and as he's now been elevated from the practice squad the maximum three times this year, he'll need to be added to the 53-man again if the team wants him active on gameday going forward.
Abernathy is elevated for the first time since the opening week. He initially made the 53-man roster out of the gate but was quickly released to make room for Rudy Ford. With Darnell Savage injured, Abernathy's temporary upgrade makes sense; he can still be elevated one more time this year.
Nov. 29: Packers cut Johnathan Abram, promote practice squad player to 53-man roster
- IN: Innis Gaines, safety (promoted from practice squad)
- OUT: Johnathan Abram, safety (released)
- IN: Nick Guggemos, tight end (to practice squad)
Johnathan Abram, a former-first round pick by the Oakland Raiders signed Nov. 9, didn't make it through a full month with the Packers. Abram was listed as inactive against the Eagles in favor of practice-squad elevation Innis Gaines, who now takes Abram's spot on the 53-man roster.
Guggemos has spent time with three NFL teams since first signing with Seattle in May 2021.
Nov. 27: Game-day inactives
- Jothnathan Abram, linebacker
- De'Vondre Campbell, linebacker
- Romeo Doubs, wide receiver
- Jonathan Ford, defensive lineman
- Shemar Jean-Charles, cornerback
- Rasheed Walker, offensive line
Campbell missed his fourth straight game with injury and Doubs missed his third. Abram, a recent addition off waivers, was left off the 48-man gameday roster for the first time. Offensive lineman Luke Tenuta was active on gameday for the first time; he was signed Oct. 18.
Nov. 26: Packers elevate Taylor, Innis Gaines for game against Philadelphia
- ELEVATED: Patrick Taylor, running back (second elevation)
- ELEVATED: Innis Gaines, safety (second elevation)
Though he was released last week, Patrick Taylor is back on the 48-man game day roster for the game against Philadelphia after being elevated from the practice squad. Though he's been active for eight games this year, it's only his second elevation as a member of the practice squad and he could still get elevated one more time this year before the Packers are compelled to add him to the 53-man roster (again).
It's the second elevation for Gaines, leaving him in the same boat.
Nov. 25: Reserve offensive lineman suspended
Packers offensive lineman Sean Rhyan's season is over after he was suspended for six games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The rookie third-round pick has not seen the field this year and will not count against the 53-man roster the rest of the year.
Nov. 25: Patrick Taylor once again back on the practice squad
- IN: Patrick Taylor, running back (to practice squad)
- OUT: Josh Babicz, tight end (from practice squad)
Twice, running back Patrick Taylor has been released, and both times he has returned to the Packers practice squad, where he began the season, as well. He's been active for eight games this year. He takes the place of Josh Babicz, who did not see any action on game day this year.
Nov. 24: Patrick Taylor released as Packers add linebacker
- IN: Justin Hollins, linebacker (claimed off waivers)
- OUT: Patrick Taylor, running back
The Packers released Patrick Taylor for the second time this year off the active roster to make way for a waiver claim from the Los Angeles Rams. In his fourth NFL season, Hollins has seven sacks in 49 regular-season games and previously worked with Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry.
Nov. 17: Game-day inactives
- De'Vondre Campbell, linebacker
- Romeo Doubs, wide receiver
- Jonathan Ford, defensive tackle
- Shemar Jean-Charles, cornerback
- Luke Tenuta, offensive lineman
- Rasheed Walker, offensive lineman
Campbell was inactive for a third straight week with injury, and Doubs was labeled inactive for a second week.
Nov. 17: Randall Cobb activated
- IN: Randall Cobb, wide receiver (activated from injured reserve)
Randall Cobb was activated from injured reserve in advance of the game against Tennessee on Thursday Night Football. He missed the minimum four weeks while on IR.
Nov. 15: Packers release Amari Rodgers and Kylin Hill, promote Patrick Taylor, sign Dede Westbrook and Tim Ward to practice squad
- OUT: Amari Rodgers, wide receiver (released)
- OUT: Kylin Hill, running back (released)
- IN: Patrick Taylor, running back (signed to 53-man roster from practice squad)
- IN: Dede Westbrook, wide receiver (signed to practice squad)
- IN: Tim Ward, linebacker (signed to practice squad)
The Packers released receiver Amari Rodgers, whose troubles in the punt return game have been well documented, and backup running back Kylin Hill, both 2021 draft picks.
Rodgers, a third-round pick in 2021, hasn't been able to do enough as a receiver to offset his woes as a return specialist, which included a lost fumble against Dallas in Week 10. He has eight career receptions and seven fumbles with the Packers.
Hill, a seventh-round pick in 2021, provided depth at running back, but he tore his ACL as a rookie in 2021 and spent the start of the 2022 season on the physically unable to perform list.
Neither he nor Rodgers is expected to be signed to the practice squad if they clear waivers.
To replace Hill, the Packers added Taylor back to the 53-man roster. Taylor started the year on the practice squad, was signed to the 53-man roster in Week 2 and cut in Week 9 to make room for Hill. Taylor was re-signed to the practice after clearing waivers and spent the last two weeks there.
Westbrook was a fourth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017. In 25 starts with Jacksonville and Minnesota, he has 170 catches for 1,788 yards and nine touchdowns. He also has averaged 9.3 yards on 69 punt returns and 18.0 yards on seven kickoff returns.
He has been a free agent since the end of last season and reportedly turned down an offer to return to the Vikings this off-season.
Ward is a third-year player who has seen time with the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets. He is an edge rusher who had one sack in 12 career games. The Jets released him during training camp and he has been a free agent since.
Nov. 13: Game-day inactives
- Krys Barnes, linebacker
- De'Vondre Campbell, linebacker
- Romeo Doubs, wide receiver
- Jonathan Ford, defensive lineman
- Shemar Jean-Charles, cornerback
- Luke Tenuta, offensive line
- Rasheed Walker, offensive line
Barnes, Campbell, Doubs and Jean-Charles are nursing injuries.
Nov. 12: Packers put Stokes on injured reserve but elevate a kicker from practice squad for Sunday
- IN: Corey Ballentine, cornerback (from practice squad)
- OUT: Eric Stokes, cornerback (injured reserve)
- ELEVATED: Ramiz Ahmed, kicker (first elevation)
- ELEVATED: La'Darius Hamilton, linebacker (second elevation)
Eric Stokes, likely lost for the year after sustaining an ankle injury against Detroit, was officially moved to injured reserve, and the Packers replaced him with Corey Ballentine, a return specialist and cornerback signed from Arizona in September.
But the more interesting move was the elevation of kicker Ramiz Ahmed, suggesting Mason Crosby may be unable to play against Dallas. Ahmed, who shined in preseason, hasn't had a chance to appear with the Packers on game day yet. Crosby was limited in practice this week with a back issue, though that's not altogether unusual. He was not given an injury designation for the game against Dallas.
The Packers also elevated La'Darius Hamilton from the practice squad for a second time. He can be elevated once more time this season from the practice squad; after that, if the Packers want to use him a fourth time, he'll need to be added to the 53-man roster.
Nov. 10: Packers swap practice squad receivers
- IN: Jeff Cotton, wide receiver (to practice squad)
- OUT: Kawaan Baker, wide receiver (from practice squad)
Baker had been signed in October. Cotton most recently spent time on the Arizona practice squad and has seen time with two other teams since arriving in the league as an undrafted free agent from Idaho in 2020. He saw action in one 2021 game with Jacksonville.
Nov. 9: Packers sign former first-round pick Johnathan Abram from Raiders
- IN: Johnathan Abram, safety (claimed off waivers)
- OUT: Rashan Gary, linebacker (placed on injured reserve)
The Packers added the 2019 first-round pick Abram from the Las Vegas Raiders, giving the team another option in the secondary. To make room on the 53-man roster, the Packers placed Rashan Gary on injured reserve. He's been lost for the season with an ACL tear suffered against Detroit on Nov. 6.
Nov. 6: Game-day inactives
- De'Vondre Campbell, linebacker
- Jonathan Ford, defensive lineman
- Shemar Jean-Charles, cornerback
- Luke Tenuta, offensive lineman
- Rasheed Walker, offensive lineman
Campbell left the previous week's game against Buffalo with a knee injury, and the all-pro was missing his first game of the season. Jean-Charles was sidelined with an injury for the second straight week.
Nov. 4: Patrick Taylor returns to practice squad
- IN: Patrick Taylor, running back (to practice squad)
- OUT: Kobe Jones, linebacker (from practice squad)
Patrick Taylor, a running back who's seen action in in seven games this year for the Packers but was waived when the team added Kylin Hill back to the 53-man roster, was brought back to the practice squad where he started the year. To make room for him, the club released linebacker Kobe Jones.
Nov. 3: Packers return Krys Barnes from injured reserve
- IN: Krys Barnes, linebacker
- OUT: None (open spot on 53-man roster)
Barnes became the second player to return from injured reserve this season, joining Sammy Watkins, and he essentially took the place of seldom-used running back Patrick Taylor, who had been waived earlier in the week to maintain one open spot on the 53-man roster.
Nov. 2: Packers activate Kylin Hill off PUP list
- IN: Kylin Hill, running back
- OUT: Patrick Taylor, running back
Running back Kylin Hill, a 2021 draft pick who tore his ACL last year and opened the year on the physically unable to perform list, has been activated and added to the 53-man roster. Hill appeared in eight games last year and returned 10 kicks before being lost for the season. Hill was the only player still on the PUP list. He took the place of Patrick Taylor, who had only played almost exclusively on special teams since earning promotion to the 53-man roster in late September.
Oct. 30: Game-day inactives
- Jonathan Ford, defensive lineman
- Jonathan Garvin, Linebacker
- Shemar Jean-Charles, cornerback
- Elgton Jenkins, offensive line
- Allen Lazard, wide receiver
- Luke Tenuta, offensive lineman
Jenkins was questionable coming into the game but left the pregame warmups in Buffalo with a trainer and was then ruled out with a foot injury, forcing an offensive-line reshuffle. Lazard had been ruled out earlier in the week with a shoulder injury we suffered a week earlier.
Oct. 29: Packers elevate two practice-squad players for Bills game
- Innis Gaines, safety (first elevation)
- Kobe Jones, linebacker (first elevation)
Both players elevated for the game against Buffalo can get elevated twice more this season; if the Packers wish to use them again on game day, they must be added to the active roster. Currently, the only player who has maxed out his practice-squad elevations is receiver Juwann Winfree. Gaines appeared in one game last year for the Packers (his only career NFL appearance), and Jones has not appeared in an NFL game.
Oct. 25: Packers add tight end to practice squad
Tight end Josh Babicz, a rookie out of North Dakota State who played college football alongside Packers receiver Christian Watson, was added to the practice squad, with Green Bay releasing tight end Shaun Beyer.
Babicz signed with Carolina as an undrafted free agent and released from the Panthers' practice squad.
Oct. 23: Game-day inactives
- David Bakhtiari, offensive lineman
- Jonathan Ford, defensive lineman
- Jonathan Garvin, defensive end
- Luke Tenuta, offensive lineman
- Christian Watson, wide receiver
Bakhtiari was downgraded to questionable late in the week and ultimately ruled out for the Week 7 game against the Washington Commanders. Watson was sidelined with a hamstring injury for a second straight week. Tenuta was recently signed to the 53-man roster.
Oct 22: Packers elevate linebacker from practice squad
- La'Darius Hamilton, linebacker (first elevation)
Green Bay elected to elevate linebacker La'Darius Hamilton from the practice squad for the Week 7 game against the Washington Commanders, marking the first time he's been elevated this season. The Packers can elevate Hamilton twice more before they need to add him to the active roster for a fourth game.
Oct. 22: Packers swap receivers on active roster
- IN: Sammy Watkins, wide receiver
- OUT: Randall Cobb, wide receiver (to injured reserve)
- OUT: Jake Hanson, offensive line (to injured reserve)
Cobb's ankle injury suffered against the Jets was initially feared to be much worse, but he figures to be back shortly after the requisite four weeks on injured reserve; he'd be eligible for the Thursday Night Football game against Tennessee on Nov. 17. Hanson suffered a biceps injury in the same game after subbing in briefly at guard.
The veteran Watkins is back after four weeks on injured reserve with a hamstring issue.
Oct. 19: Packers sign wide receiver Kawaan Baker to the practice squad
- IN: Kawaan Baker, wide receiver
- OUT: None (had open spot on practice squad)
The Packers signed receiver Kawaan Baker, a seventh-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in '21, to the practice squad, filling one of the spots they had open after releasing linebacker Ray Wilborn and cornerback Benjie Franklin.
Baker is coming off a six-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, which was announced on Aug. 3. The Saints cut him as soon as his suspension was lifted.
The 6-1, 210-pound receiver spent all of his rookie season on the Saints' practice squad and was elevated to the gameday roster twice, recording one tackle on special teams.
Oct. 18: Packers sign offensive lineman, add familiar face to practice squad
- IN: Luke Tenuta, offensive line
- OUT: None (had open roster spot)
The Packers claimed tackle Luke Tenuta off of waivers from the Indianapolis Colts, taking the open 53-man roster spot vacated when Tipa Galeai was added to injured reserve.
Tenuta was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2022 and was waived after training camp. He was claimed by the Colts, signed to the active roster and spent the first five weeks inactive on game day.
Not only that, but the Packers added safety Innis Gaines to the practice squad. Gaines was with the Packers in the preseason.
Green Bay also has an open practice-squad spot after cutting two players: linebacker Ray Wilborn and cornerback Benjie Franklin.
Oct. 16: Game-day inactives
- Jonathan Ford, defensive lineman
- Sean Rhyan, offensive lineman
- Samori Toure, wide receiver
- Rasheed Walker, offensive tackle
- Christian Watson, wide receiver
The NFL allows for a 48-player active roster on game day, thus necessitating five inactives. All five players this week marked as inactive were rookies, with only Watson (hamstring) sidelined because of injury.
Oct. 15: Packers place Tipa Galeai on injured reserve
- IN: No corresponding move
- OUT: Tipa Galeai (placed on injured reserve)
Tipa Galeai, who was ruled out for the Week 6 battle with the Jets on account of a hamstring injury, was placed on injured reserve. The Packers did not immediately announce a replacement on the 53-man roster.
Galeai has seen action in all five games this season but no snaps on defense, playing exclusively on special teams.
Oct. 15: Packers elevate Juwann Winfree for final time
- Juwann Winfree, wide receiver (third elevation)
The Packers elevated wide receiver Juwann Winfree for the Week 6 game against the New York Jets, marking the third and final time he can be elevated this season. If the Packers wish to use Winfree a fourth time, he must be added to the 53- man active roster.
With Christian Watson sidelined by injury, the Packers needed the receiving depth.
Winfree appeared on the 48-man active gameday roster in Week 1 against the Vikings, where he caught one pass for 17 yards and again in Week 3, where he did not catch a pass. The second-year player released at the end of training camp also saw action in seven games last year.
Oct. 9: Game-day inactives
- Jonathan Ford, defensive lineman
- Sean Rhyan, offensive lineman
- Samori Toure, wide receiver
- Rasheed Walker, offensive tackle
- Devonte Wyatt, defensive lineman
The NFL allows for a 48-player active roster on game day, thus necessitating five inactives. The only passing surprise is first-round draft selection Devonte Wyatt, a rookie who hasn't seen a high volume of snaps this year. Wyatt hasn't made the impact that fellow first-rounder, Quay Walker, has on defense in the infancy of his NFL career.
Oct. 4: Packers sign linebacker from Saints practice squad
- IN: Eric Wilson, linebacker (signed off Saints practice squad)
- OUT: Caleb Jones, offensive lineman (placed on non-football injury list)
Linebacker Eric Wilson was signed off the New Orleans Saints' practice squad and added to the active roster.
He takes the place of Caleb Jones, who'd previously been added to the non-football injury list over the weekend with an illness.
The sixth-year veteran Wilson spent the 2022 offseason with the Saints and was waived after training camp before being signed to the practice squad, where he has spent the first four weeks of the season. He was with the Vikings from 2017-20.
Oct. 2: Game-day inactives
- Jaire Alexander, cornerback
- Jonathan Ford, defensive lineman
- Caleb Jones, offensive tackle
- Sean Rhyan, offensive lineman
- Samori Toure, wide receiver
- Rasheed Walker, offensive tackle
The NFL allows for a 48-player active roster on game day, thus necessitating five inactives (and one more this week because the team elevated Kiondre Thomas off the practice squad). Alexander was the only one missing the game because of injury. Caleb Jones is technically on the non-football illness list and not on the 53-man roster, but the Packers did not fill that opening).
Adrian Amos was lost in the first half with a concussion.
Oct. 1: Packers elevate Kiondre Thomas with Alexander hurting
- Kiondre Thomas, cornerback (first elevation)
With the availability of cornerback Jaire Alexander in doubt, the Packers elevated practice squad player Kiondre Thomas for the Week 4 game at home against New England.
The 24-year-old played four games last year for the Los Angeles Chargers, but this will be the first time he's on Green Bay's active roster.
Thomas can be elevated from the practice squad for two more games this season after New England. If the team wishes to use him again after that, it'll need to add him to the active roster.
Sept. 28: Packers sign return man Corey Ballentine to practice squad
Corey Ballentine, a sixth-round pick by the Giants in 2019 most recently on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad, is a cornerback but has served as a kickoff return man, once returning a 73-yard kickoff against the Packers while playing for the Jets. Overall, he has 35 career kick returns and an average of 24.4 yards per return.
He's appeared in 32 NFL games with the Giants, Lions and Jets.
Ballentine takes the open roster spot left behind when Sammy Watkins moved to injured reserve and Patrick Taylor was promoted to the active roster. It's notable that the Packers also struck gold last season by signing a player off the Arizona practice squad, Rasul Douglas, though this isn't an addition to the active roster.
Sept. 25: Game-day inactives
- Jonathan Ford, defensive lineman
- Caleb Jones, offensive tackle
- Sean Rhyan, offensive line
- Samori Toure, wide receiver
- Rasheed Walker, offensive tackle
- Christian Watson, wide receiver
The NFL allows for a 48-player active roster on game day, thus necessitating five inactives (and one more in this case, since the Packers had elevated practice squad player Juwann Winfree for the game against Tampa Bay). Watson is the only one on the list who was held out because of injury, leaving the Packers limited at receiver.
In the first half, Jaire Alexander was lost to injury.
Sept. 24: Packers elevate wide receiver Juwann Winfree for Week 3 in Tampa
- Juwann Winfree, wide receiver (second elevation)
The Packers elevated Winfree in Week 1 against the Vikings, where he caught one pass for 17 yards. With Sammy Watkins lost to injury, it made sense that he'd be brought up from the practice squad to fill one of the 46 spots active on gameday. The second-year player released at the end of training camp also saw action in seven games last year.
Winfree can be elevated from the practice squad for one more game this season after Tampa. If the team wishes to use him again after that, it'll need to add him to the active roster.
Sept. 24: Packers put Sammy Watkins on injured reserve, promote practice-squad running back
- IN: Patrick Taylor, running back (signed from practice squad)
- OUT: Sammy Watkins, wide receiver (to injured reserve)
Fresh off a three-catch, 93-yard receiving performance against the Bears, the Packers lost a veteran receiver in Watkins with a hamstring injury, putting him on injured reserve and guaranteeing that he'll be out four weeks.
Taylor, who was elevated for the Week 2 game against Chicago, saw action in nine games with the Packers in last year's regular season.
Sept. 22: Practice squad player just released is back
Travis Fulgham was off the practice squad for two days. With receivers ailing, the Packers added him back to the unit and cut safety Mike Brown.
The Packers have twice claimed Fulgham off waivers three times, once in 2020 and now twice in 2022, but he has never appeared in a game for Green Bay.
Sept. 20: Packers add DQ Thomas to practice squad, cut Travis Fulgham
In a practice-squad maneuver, the Packers added an inside linebacker in Thomas, a highly recruited undrafted free agent from Middle Tennessee State who received $130,000 guaranteed to sign with the Jets but was subsequently released. He had 20½ sacks at MTSU. In the corresponding move, the Packers parted with wide receiver Travis Fulgham, leaving just one wide receiver on the practice squad in Juwann Winfree.
Sept. 18: Game-day inactives
- David Bakhtiari, offensive line
- Caleb Jones, offensive line
- Samori Toure, wide receiver
- Jonathan Ford, defensive line
- Sean Rhyan, offensive line
- Tariq Carpenter, safety
The NFL allows for a 48-player active roster on game day, thus necessitating five inactives (and one more in this case, since the Packers had elevated practice squad player Patrick Taylor for the game against Chicago). Bakhtiari is the only player in the bunch nursing an injury.
Sept. 17: Packers elevate running back Patrick Taylor from practice squad for Week 2
- Patrick Taylor, running back (first elevation)
The Packers only used one of their two options to elevate a player for the Week 2 game day roster, choosing running back Patrick Taylor to fill one of their 46 spots. Taylor, a second-year player who was released at the end of training camp, will be making his 10th career appearance. The only two backs on the 53-man roster are Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon, but the Packers kept Taylor and rookie Tyler Goodson on the practice squad in case they needed a third back. The 6-2, 217-pound Taylor played multiple positions on special teams during training camp.
He can be elevated for two more games this season, after which he must be added to the 53-man roster if the Packers wish to use him again.
Sept. 13: Packers replace injured linebacker Krys Barnes with tackle Caleb Jones
- IN: Caleb Jones, offensive lineman (signed off practice squad)
- OUT: Krys Barnes (to injured reserve)
The Packers made the addition after Barnes was hurt in Week 1 of the season, though there's optimism he'll be back in a few weeks (though he must spend at least four weeks on injured reserve and cannot practice). Jones was an intriguing story as an undrafted free agent out of Indiana, a behemoth of 6-9 and 370 pounds who wasn't invited to the NFL combine. Another team attempted to sign Jones to its 53-man roster, but the Packers offered him a spot on theirs so they wouldn't lose him. Jones gives the Packers added tackle depth with Jon Runyan possibly sidelined by a concussion and Zach Tom (capable of playing multiple spots on the line) able to take his spot if needed.
Sept. 11: Abernathy, Winfree elevated from practice squad for Week 1
- Micah Abernathy, safety (first elevation)
- Juwann Winfree, wide receiver (first elevation)
Both were elevated from the practice squad for the Week 1 game against the Vikings. This does not mean they were added to the 53-man roster; they are still on the practice squad and can be claimed by another team. They can both be elevated for two more games this season, after which they must be added to the 53-man roster if the Packers wish to use them again.
Sept. 11: Game-day inactives
- Allen Lazard, wide receiver
- David Bakhtiari, offensive line
- Elgton Jenkins, offensive line
- Samori Toure, wide receiver
- Jonathan Ford, defensive line
- Shemar Jean-Charles, cornerback
- Tariq Carpenter, safety
The NFL allows for a 48-player active roster on game day, thus necessitating five inactives (and two more in this case, since the Packers had elevated two practice squad players for the Week 1 battle against Minnesota). Lazard had an ankle injury, while Bakhtiari and Jenkins are working back from knee injuries (and Jenkins also had a pectoral injury).
Aug. 31: Packers add safety Rudy Ford from Jacksonville
- IN: Rudy Ford, safety (signed as free agent)
- OUT: Micah Abernathy, safety
Abernathy has a great story, signed in early August as essentially a training-camp body and taking advantage of his opportunity to make the 53-man roster. But his time there was short-lived, when the Packers agreed to bring in former Jacksonville Jaguars special-teams ace Ford. Abernathy instead signed with the practice squad, and the Packers released Rico Gafford to make room.
Current Packers 53-man roster (last updated Dec. 27)
- QB: Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love
- RB: Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Patrick Taylor
- WR: Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Samori Toure, Bo Melton
- TE: Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, Josiah Deguara, Tyler Davis
- OL: David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jon Runyan, Yosh Nijman, Zach Tom, Royce Newman, Rasheed Walker, Luke Tenuta, Caleb Jones
- DL: Kenny Clark, Jarran Reed, T.J. Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, Kingsley Enagbare, Jonathan Ford
- LB: Krys Barnes, De'Vondre Campbell, Preston Smith, Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Jonathan Garvin, Justin Hollins, Eric Wilson
- CB: Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Keisean Nixon, Shemar Jean-Charles, Corey Ballentine
- S: Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Dallin Leavitt, Tariq Carpenter, Rudy Ford, Innis Gaines
- K: Mason Crosby
- P: Pat O'Donnell
- LS: Jack Coco
Former roster members:Micah Abernathy (S), cut Aug. 31 and signed to practice squad; Tipa Galeai (LB), injured; Jake Hanson (OG), injured; Rashan Gary (LB), injured; Eric Stokes (CB), injured; Amari Rodgers (WR), released; Kylin Hill (RB), released; Sean Rhyan (OL), suspended; Johnathan Abram (S), released; Sammy Watkins (WR), released; Dean Lowry (DT), injured
Current Packers practice squad (last updated Jan. 4)
- Ramiz Ahmed (K)
- Austin Allen (TE)
- Matt Ammendola (K)
- Jeff Cotton (WR)
- Jean Delance (C)
- Danny Etling (QB)
- Travis Fulgham (WR)
- Tyler Goodson (RB)
- Nick Guggemos (TE)
- La'Darius Hamilton (OLB)
- Michael Menet (C)
- Chris Slayton (DL)
- DQ Thomas (ILB)
- Kiondre Thomas (CB)
- Tim Ward (LB)
- Juwann Winfree (WR)
Former practice squad members:Caleb Jones (OT), promoted; Mike Brown (S), released Sept. 22; Ray Wilborn (ILB), released Oct. 18; Benjie Franklin (DB), released Oct. 18; Shaun Beyer (TE), released Oct. 25; Kobe Jones (LB), released Nov. 3; Corey Ballentine (CB), promoted Nov. 12; Innis Gaines (S), promoted Nov. 29; Patrick Taylor (RB), promoted Dec. 19 — third promotion of the year
JR Radcliffe can be reached at (262) 361-9141 or jradcliffe@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JRRadcliffe.