Packers promote DB Innis Gaines to the active roster

The Packers had an open roster spot since trading Rasul Douglas to the Buffalo Bills two weeks ago. Therefore, they didn't need to make a corresponding roster move.

Innis Gaines has been in and out of the Packers roster since 2021. He was an undrafted player coming out of TCU, in 2020. In his first year, he spent most of the season on the practice squad and appeared in one game, against the Cleveland Browns.

Last season, he was waived/injured and then waived, but re-signed with the Packers in October. He played in seven games in 2022.

Gaines is originally a safety, but has played primarily as a slot corner since this year's training camp.

Not a good sign for Jaire

Packers star cornerback Jaire Alexander is doubtful to play with a shoulder injury. The decision to promote Gaines is an indication that the starter won't be available to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The Packers don't have cornerback Eric Stokes and safety Darnell Savage either, as both are on the injured reserve.

Off-ball linebacker Quay Walker is also doubtful with a groin injury that, according head coach Matt LaFleur, isn't a long-term concern.

Cornerback depth

Without Alexander and Stokes, and with Rasul Douglas traded, the Packers are thin at cornerback. Besides Innis Gaines, the players on the 53-man roster are Carrington Valentine, Keisean Nixon, Corey Ballentine, and Robert Rochell.

Zyon Gilbert and Anthony Johnson are available on the practice squad, but they were not elevated for gameday, and therefore can't play against the Steelers. Considering injured reserve rules, Stokes will have to miss at least three more games.

Injury report and offensive line concerns

Jaire Alexander and Quay Walker are doubtful to play, as mentioned above. Beyond that, the Packers have five players listed as questionable for week 10: DT Kenny Clark, S Rudy Ford, T Yosh Nijman, G Jon Runyan, and C Josh Myers.

If neither of these offensive linemen is available to play, the lineup and depth will have serious issues. The starting formation would probably be Rasheed Walker - Royce Newman - Elgton Jenkins - Sean Rhyan - Zach Tom.

Caleb Jones would be the only available backup lineman. But the fact that the Packers didn't promote any lineman from the practice squad for gameday is a good sign for the starters' availability. The PS group has guard Michael Jordan and tackle Kadeem Telfort.