The Green Bay Packers can start signing players to the practice squad after the waiver period ends on Wednesday. All NFL teams can carry 16 players on the practice squad during the 2023 season.
The Packers released 32 players on Tuesday, but many will return to Green Bay on the practice squad to start 2023. Once the practice squad is filled, a 53-man initial roster will turn into a complete 69-player team for Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur.
Follow along as Packers Wire tracks all the additions made to the practice squad on Wednesday:
Signings by position
QB: Alex McGough
RB: Patrick Taylor
WR: Grant DuBose, Bo Melton
TE: Austin Allen, Henry Pearson (FB)
OL: Kadeem Telfort, James Empey
DL: Chris Slayton
OLB: Keshawn Banks, Arron Mosby, Kenneth Odumegwu (IPP)
ILB:
CB: Kiondre Thomas, Innis Gaines, Corey Ballentine
S: Benny Sapp
K:
P:
LS:
OLB Keshawn Banks
The Packers are signing edge rusher Keshawn Banks to the team’s practice squad, per Bill Huber of SI.com.
Banks, an undrafted free agent out of San Diego State, delivered two pressures and five stops over 70 snaps this preseason. His overall defense grade was the Packers’ fifth-best over the three preseason games, and his five stops ranked second on the team, per PFF.
TE Austin Allen
The Packers are signing tight end Austin Allen to the practice squad, per Ryan Wood of PackersNews.com.
Allen (6-8) impressed as a run blocker during the preseason and will give the Packers an inline tight end type to develop. It’s possible he’ll be needed early in the season considering the Packers have only three tight ends on the roster currently.
OT Kadeem Telfort
The Packers are signing offensive tackle Kadeem Telfort to the practice squad, per Tom Silverstein of PackersNews.com.
Telfort is a massive (6-8, 322) rookie tackle who played 48 snaps at left tackle this preseason. The Packers have gravitated towards big, long-armed tackles recently, and Telfort is another one to develop on the practice squad.
S Benny Sapp
The Packers are signing safety Benny Sapp to the practice squad, per Tom Silverstein of PackersNews.com.
Sapp, an undrafted rookie out of Northern Iowa, finished as the team’s third-highest graded defensive player during the preseason, per PFF, and had the game-clinching interception in the preseason finale. Sapp is the son of Benny Sapp II, who played eight seasons in the NFL from 2004-11.
S Innis Gaines
The Packers are expected to sign defensive back Innis Gaines to the practice squad, per Bill Huber of SI.com.
Gaines, who was on the field for four games last season, can play in the slot or at safety and is an experienced special teams player.
CB Kiondre Thomas
The Packers are signing cornerback Kiondre Thomas to the practice squad, per Bill Huber of SI.com.
Thomas allowed only three total catches over the last two preseasons in Green Bay and will give the Packers more depth at cornerback, where only four players are currently on the 53-man roster. He spent all of last season on the practice squad.
WR Grant DuBose
The Packers are expected to sign receiver Grant DuBose to the practice squad, per Bill Huber of SI.com.
DuBose was a seventh-round pick out of Charlotte and one of only two 2023 draft picks cut by the Packers on Tuesday. His return gives the Packers seven quality wide receivers entering the regular season.
C James Empey
The Packers are signing center James Empey to the practice squad, per Ryan Wood of PackersNews.com.
Empey arrived off waivers from the Titans on July 31. He will provide depth at center behind assumed starter Josh Myers and assumed top backup Zach Tom. During the preseason, Empey played 39 snaps at center and 17 at left or right guard.
QB Alex McGough
The Packers are signing quarterback Alex McGough to the practice squad, per Aaron Wilson.
McGough, the USFL’s MVP in 2023, arrived in Green Bay in July. He led a game-winning drive featuring a 52-yard completion to Jadakis Bonds during the Packers’ preseason finale. He’ll be the No. 3 quarterback behind Jordan Love and Sean Clifford.
DL Chris Slayton
The Packers signed defensive lineman Chris Slayton to the practice squad, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.
Slayton spent the entire 2022 season on the Packers practice squad. He was a seventh-round pick of the Giants in 2019. During the 2023 preseason, Slayton produced two hurries and a tackle over 53 snaps.
OLB Arron Mosby
The Packers signed outside linebacker Arron Mosby to the practice squad, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.
Mosby was a waiver claim from the Panthers. He played 45 snaps at outside linebacker and 31 special teams snaps over three preseason games.
Officially announced
The Packers announced the signings of Patrick Taylor, Corey Ballentine, Bo Melton and Kenneth Odumegwu to the practice squad on Wednesday.
