Packers-Broncos injury report: Baylis promoted with Graham sidelined by groin injury

With Trevor Davis passing his physical in Oakland, his trade to the Raiders became official on Thursday. To fill the roster spot – and with tight end Jimmy Graham not participating in Thursday’s practice – the Green Bay Packers promoted Evan Baylis from the practice squad.

An undrafted free agent out of Oregon in 2017, Baylis played in one game as a rookie with the Houston Texans. He spent time on the practice squads of the Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers before joining the Packers’ practice squad for the final week of last season. Baylis had a solid training camp but couldn’t break through the quartet of Graham, Marcedes Lewis, Robert Tonyan and third-round pick Jace Sternberger. With Sternberger on injured reserve and Graham iffy with a groin injury, Baylis could get his chance on Sunday against Denver.

Baylis wore No. 49 in training camp, when he caught three passes for 23 yards and a touchdown in the preseason, but has changed to No. 88.

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The trade of Davis, who thrived as a punt returner in 2017, missed almost all of 2018 due to hamstring injuries and played in the Packers’ first two games, leaves a hole on special teams. Cornerback Tremon Smith, who was acquired off waivers from Kansas City on Monday, figures to pick up at least some of that role. As a sixth-round rookie last year, Smith averaged 26.8 yards per kickoff return. Of 28 players with more than 10 runbacks, that ranked sixth in the NFL. He did not return punts for the Chiefs but did at Central Arkansas. He added three special-teams tackles last year.

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“Trusting your teammates and hitting it full speed and trusting that they’re going to have their blocks,” Smith said. “It’s hitting it full speed and running as fast as possible, and you can’t be scared, either. You can’t run scared; that’s when you get hit hard.”

Green Bay replaced Baylis on the practice squad by bringing back receiver Keon Hatcher. He spent past of last season on the Packers’ practice squad before being signed by Oakland. He played in three games for the Raiders and made one tackle on special teams.

Graham, defensive lineman Montravius Adams (shoulder) and inside linebacker Oren Burks (pectoral) did not participate in practice as coach Matt LaFleur had the team in pads after using Wednesday as a “mental day.” Receiver Jake Kumerow (shoulder), who would not have practiced on Wednesday, and safety Darnell Savage, who was in a walking boot following Sunday’s game, were back at work. And rookie cornerback Ka’Dar Hollman, who had missed the first two games with a neck injury, was wearing the defense’s green jersey rather than a no-contact red jersey.

Meanwhile, running back Jamaal Williams (ankle) and left guard Lane Taylor (biceps) were added to the injury report as limited participation.

PACKERS INJURY REPORT

Did not participate: DT Montravius Adams (shoulder), ILB Oren Burks (pectoral), TE Jimmy Graham (groin)

Limited: OLB Kyler Fackrell (shoulder), WR Jake Kumerow (shoulder), ILB Blake Martinez (shoulder), WR Darrius Shepherd (hamstring), G Lane Taylor (biceps), RB Jamaal Williams (ankle).

Full: DT Fadol Brown (knee), RT Bryan Bulaga (rest), DT Kenny Clark (calf), CB Ka’Dar Hollman (neck), CB Kevin King (chest), S Will Redmond (ankle), S Darnell Savage (shin), OLB Za’Darius Smith (ankle), CB Tramon Williams (rest).