Packers elevate DB Innis Gaines for gameday to play vs Rams

With injuries piling up in the defensive backfield, the Green Bay Packers have added a reinforcement to the active roster. On Saturday, the team elevated safety and nickel corner Innis Gaines for gameday from the practice squad.

That means Gaines can play on Sunday, versus the Los Angeles Rams, and then reverts back to the practice squad on Monday. This is the third elevation this season for Gaines, who had already been active for the games against the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons, in weeks 1 and 2.

Therefore, he can’t be elevated anymore by the Packers this season. If they want him to play another game, he will have to be promoted to the active 53-man roster.

The Packers won’t have cornerback Eric Stokes and safety Darnell Savage, who are on the injured reserve and slated to miss at least three more games. Safety Rudy Ford is also questionable with a calf injury. Moreover, last week the Packers traded starting cornerback Rasul Douglas to the Buffalo Bills, so the secondary depth is thin.

At cornerback, the Packers have Jaire Alexander, Carrington Valentine, Keisean Nixon, Corey Ballentine, and recently-acquired Robert Rochell on the active roster. At safety, considering Ford might not play, the options are Jonathan Owens, Anthony Johnson Jr., Dallin Leavitt, and Zayne Anderson.

Innis Gaines is an important piece for this context because of his versatility. He’s been with the Packers since 2021, primarily as a safety. However, since this year’s training camp he has been an option as a slot corner.

Rudy Ford and off-ball linebacker Quay Walker are the two Packers players listed as questionable to play on Sunday. Both suffered injuries throughout the practice week. Ford has a calf injury, while Walker has handled a groin issue.