Innis Gaines might have a path to the 53-man roster of the Green Bay Packers through the slot cornerback position. While listed as a safety, Gaines has a long history in the slot and is now listed by the Packers as the backup slot option behind Keisean Nixon on the team’s first unofficial depth chart of 2023.
The slot could be Gaines’ best position. He played almost 700 total snaps as a slot cornerback at TCU, including 302 slot snaps over eight games during his senior season in 2019. The Horned Frogs also played him in the box, but the majority of his defensive snaps came as a slot corner. And it’s worth noting: Gaines was one of the best slot coverage players in the Big 12 over his final two collegiate seasons.
When it came to locking down the slot in the Big 12, no defender could top Innis Gaines. pic.twitter.com/LvIvES6QTl
— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 9, 2019
The Packers have done much of the same in terms of usage. In fact, over the last three games of the 2022 season, Gaines played 32 total snaps in the slot, including 10 or more slot snaps in each game. He allowed four catches for 28 yards over those 32 snaps against the Dolphins, Vikings and Lions. Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry used Gaines in the slot when the defense went to dime looks (six defensive backs).
Gaines’ usage has continued this summer, with Barry using him in the slot with the No. 2 defense and having him go through individual drills with the cornerbacks. In many ways, Gaines has transitioned fully from safety to cornerback this summer.
Throw in Gaines’ ability on special teams, where he played almost 90 snaps over the final six weeks of the 2022 season, and it’s easy to see how Barry and special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia could use Gaines on the 53-man roster to open 2023.
While the safety position is muddled with Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, Jonathan Owens, Tarvarius Moore and Dallin Leavitt competing for snaps, Gaines has found a role at cornerback where the Packers are short on options in the slot. Nixon is the expected starter there, but Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes, Carrington Valentine and Corey Ballentine are primarily boundary cornerbacks, and Shemar Jean-Charles hasn’t established himself as anything close to a roster lock.
One potential hurdle: Gaines suffered a quad injury during Family Night. He missed Monday’s practice and could be iffy for Wednesday’s joint practice in Cincinnati. Last year, a hamstring injury during training camp killed his chances of making the team.
Can Gaines get healthy in time to earn a spot back on the 53-man roster? His path there is clearly through slot cornerback and special teams.
