Packers Form Practice Squad But More Moves Coming

The Green Bay Packers trimmed their 90-man roster to 53 players on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Grant DuBose and Alex McGough were among the signings.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
Aug 30, 2023 4:41 PM EDT

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Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – After cutting their roster to 53 players on Tuesday, the Green Bay Packers could replenish their ranks by signing up to 16 players to their practice squad.

On Wednesday, the Packers filled all but one of those spots by re-signing players who competed during training camp. More moves, probably, are coming. As part of making a couple waiver-wire additions, the Packers released defensive tackle Jonathan Ford and linebacker Tariq Carpenter. If they hope to bring both back after they clear waivers, they’ll have to trim one player from their practice squad.

Here are the players:

QB Alex McGough was one of the heroes of the preseason victory over Seattle by leading the game-winning drive. With more than a month running the offense, he was a logical addition.

RB Patrick Taylor, with his ability to pass protect and play on special teams, seemed to be the favorite for the No. 3 job that went to Emanuel Wilson.

WR Bo Melton, a seventh-round pick by Seattle last year who joined the Packers late last season, got off to a strong start in camp before being sidelined by a hamstring injury. He was back and practicing on Wednesday.

WR Grant DuBose, a seventh-round pick who lost out to Malik Heath and Samori Toure for the final roster spots, is back, as well. With Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks battling hamstring that kept them out of Wednesday’s practice, he’s got a shot to be active in Week 1.

DuBose missed the entire offseason and the start of training camp with a back injury. His belief that he belonged never wavered.

“That was never a question,” he said last week. “Once you lose your confidence, the battle’s halfway lost. So, that was never a thought in my head. But you just got to come out here and apply it. So, I try not to let negative thoughts and stuff take me into my head. I just try to put positive things out there and that’s that.”

TE Austin Allen hoped to make the roster as third traditional, in-line tight end behind rookies Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft. He fell short. On Wednesday, the Packers added a coveted rookie off waivers.

FB Henry Pearson had a strong start to camp until suffering a knee injury. The Packers obviously like him, because they retained him despite the injury. On Wednesday, he was wearing a brace and did not practice.

C James Empey joined the Packers early in training camp and quickly jumped in with the second unit. He had an excellent career at BYU.

OT Kadeem Telfort, who got some second-team reps during training camp, will get time to develop his considerable skill-set; he’s 6-foot-7 1/2 with 36-inch arms.

DT Chris Slayton pushed for a spot in training camp last summer but never made any headway this year in the battle against rookies Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks.

OLB Keshawn Banks had a strong training camp but lost out to Brenton Cox for a spot on the 53.

OLB Arron Banks, who had been a player of interest for the Packers, joined the team early in camp. He was among the standouts of the joint practices vs. New England.

CB Kiondre Thomas had a strong preseason for the second consecutive year. With only four cornerbacks on the roster and Eric Stokes on PUP, Thomas could be a gameday factor.

CB Corey Ballentine is back, as well, after playing eight games for the Packers last year. His experience on special teams could help get him on the field for Week 1.

Slot Innis Gaines worked with the No. 2 defense for most of training camp. While he didn’t make the team, he loves Green Bay and wanted to return.

S Benny Sapp, whose father had a long NFL career, had the game-saving interception against Seattle.

The 16th player is OLB Kenneth Odumegwu. As part of the International Player Pathway program, he received a practice-squad exemption.

Of last year’s initial 16-man practice squad, quarterback Danny Etling, running backs Patrick Taylor and Tyler Goodson, offensive tackle Caleb Jones, defensive tackle Chris Slayton, outside linebacker La’Darius Hamilton and cornerback Kiondre Thomas lasted all season. Taylor and Hamilton were the only players to get in a game.

Jones was the only player to make this year’s initial 53-man roster.