Packers sign DB Innis Gaines to 53-man roster: What to Know
By Paul Bretl
Ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Green Bay Packers have signed defensive back Innis Gaines from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, according to Packer Central’s Bill Huber.
Since Rasul Douglas has been traded to Buffalo, the Packers have had an open roster spot on the 53-man—so no corresponding cut is required to add Gaines. Last week the Packers elevated Gaines from the practice squad to the active roster for the third and final time per the NFL’s guidelines. In order to have him available on game days beyond Week 9, the only other option was to sign him to their roster.
Gaines is listed as a safety, but over the last two seasons with Green Bay, including training camp this past summer, he has spent just about all of his time in the slot. However, Gaines has seen only six defensive snaps this season. Instead, has been a core special teams player when available. In three games, Gaines has played 47 special teams snaps across four different phases, and totaled two tackles.
"“For his size especially,” said Matt LaFleur of Gaines over the summer, “he’s got all the movement skills, everything you look for,” coach Matt LaFleur said of why Gaines was moved to the slot. “He’s a physical player. I think he’s done a nice job.”"
Even with some uncertainty in the secondary once again this week, special teams is going to be Gaines primary role moving forward. Rudy Ford is questionable with a calf injury, but without him last week, Green Bay relied on Jonathan Owens and Anthony Johnson to handle the starting safety duties. Also, and as already alluded to, Gaines has rarely lined up at safety, so I wouldn’t expect him to be an option there as was the case last week.
At cornerback, Jaire Alexander is doubtful, leaving Keisean Nixon in the slot and Carrington Valentine on the boundary. Given his experience in the Joe Barry defense, having been in Green Bay since 2022 and playing 80 defensive snaps this season, I would assume that Corey Ballentine starts across from Valentine. That would leave Robert Rochell and Gaines as the backup options.
With Gaines’ promotion to the 53-man roster, the Packers now have an opening on the practice squad that they will likely fill early next week. Eric Stokes has to sit out at least two more games while on IR and upon his return, a roster cut will have to be made to make room for him.
The Packers did not make any practice squad elevations this week, which leads me to believe that is a good sign for Kenny Clark’s availability. If Green Bay were going to be without Clark, I would guess that Jonathan Ford would have been elevated to provide added depth to a heavily rotated position and another run-specific defender as well—something that would be needed without Clark.