In other news, Keshawn Banks is returning to the Packers on the practice squad
â Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) August 30, 2023
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#Packers are signing TE Austin Allen to their practice squad, per source. He's essentially their fourth tight end...for now. Brian Gutekunst could look to add at that position after keeping only three tight ends on the initial 53-man roster.
â Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) August 30, 2023
#Packers are signing T Kadeem Telfort to the practice squad.
â Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) August 30, 2023
Iâm going to guess that Ballentine and Sapp will be signed. And maybe Bo Melton?
@ByRyanWood: #Packers are signing safety Innis Gaines and cornerback Kiondre Thomas to their practice squad, per sources. Both cleared waivers.
Innis Gaines had multiple offers to join other practice squads if he wasn't claimed, source said. Decided fit with #Packers was best for him. He could see the 53-man roster at some point this season, at least as a callup. A top special teams player.
@ByRyanWood: #Packers signed seventh-round rookie WR Grant DuBose to their practice squad, per source. He was not claimed on waivers.
#Packers are signing backup center James Empey to their practice squad, per source.
Practice Squad so far:
Keshawn Banks
Austin Allen
Kadeem Telfort
Benny Sapp
Innis Gaines
Kiondre Thomas
Grant DuBose
James Empey
How many players can be on the practice squad and how many are on it now?
16 Looks like 8.
Good. Can't wait until Benny Sapp is starting.
There has GOT to be someone better than Rudy Ford available on the planet.
I'd like to see WR Jadakis Bonds on the PS but with 6 first and 2nd year WRs on the roster plus Dubose on the PS already I doubt it happens. There might not be any turnover in the WR room for a couple years.
Bonds would be smart to look elsewhere.
The Green Bay Packers have released LB Tariq Carpenter (tuh-REEK) and DL Jonathan Ford, and signed the following players to the practice squad: TE Austin Allen, CB Corey Ballentine (BAL-en-tine), LB Keshawn Banks (KEY-shawn), WR Grant DuBose, C James Empey (emp-ee), S Innis Gaines (IN-iss), QB Alex McGough (ma-goo), WR Bo Melton, LB Arron Mosby, LB Kenneth Odumegwu (oh-doo-MAY-goo), FB Henry Pearson, S Benny Sapp III, DL Chris Slayton, RB Patrick Taylor, T Kadeem Telfort and CB Kiondre Thomas (kee-ON-dray). General Manager Brian Gutekunst announced the transactions Wednesday.
Glad I was wrong about McGough and the Patriots.
No Packer players were claimed. Sapp appeared pretty upset with his cut and glad to see him on the PS.
@Goalline posted:Bonds would be smart to look elsewhere.
Yep, too many similar players ahead of him and Melton signed onto the PS as a slot receiver.
@michiganjoe posted:No Packer players were claimed. Sapp appeared pretty upset with his cut and glad to see him on the PS.
Sapp might have a legitimate bitch. Ford and Owens are no sure thing to perform well. Plus it's probably hard for him to understand a guy like Leavitt beating him out.
Leavitt is a STr, don't recall that Sapp has shown there.
He might have a legitimate bitch, but he has some improving to do if he wants to play. Maybe this will help spur the improvement he needs to see the field.
@H5 posted:Leavitt is a STr, don't recall that Sapp has shown there.
I understand that but Sapp likely doesn't. He outplays the guy everyday as a safety not realizing he has the team made no matter how bad he looks playing defense.
Being a Pro is about more than just what you do in practice or on the field.
I love the fact Sapp is fired up. He IS playing better but keep working and I guarantee things will fall your way.
Injuries happen. Things change. Just keep working hard
This team really has just a bunch of guys playing safety so there will be opportunity. I don't trust Savage at all and he appears to be the top guy. Ford was acquired a couple years ago because he was a solid ST player, now he starts.
Nothing would surprise me at the safety position and guys like Sapp and Johnson might end up getting on the field more than we expect.
@PackerRick posted:This team really has just a bunch of guys playing safety so there will be opportunity. I don't trust Savage at all and he appears to be the top guy. Ford was acquired a couple years ago because he was a solid ST player, now he starts.
Nothing would surprise me at the safety position and guys like Sapp and Johnson might end up getting on the field more than we expect.
I'm rooting for Johnson and Ford as I think Savage has a low ceiling and should have never been offered the contract he was.
That safety from Buffalo seems like a special teams guy.
I think Johnson may grow into a starter, but not until at least next year. The Buff safety is more likely insurance during the season in addition to STs. Sims is an interesting prospect as he has good 40 speed (4.58) and his splits were also green on the RAS. He's better known for blocking, but he caught three of five targets in preseason for 53 yards and 37 last year for Baylor for about a 10-yard average. Apparently, GB brought him in for a predraft visit so Gute must have had his eye on him, probably as a Lewis replacement.
Three rookie TEs (if Sims passes his physical), six WRs split between their first or second year, a rookie RB, and a total of 15 (16/Sims) rookies on the team -- not counting the PS. Young, young roster. This team will certainly save on shaving razors! 
Packers had Sims in for a pre-draft visit so the interest was always there.
Iâm curious and have no idea what practice squad members generally make. Iâve heard and read stories that the Pack upped a salary or guaranteed $$$ or promotion to the 53 when another team tried to sign certain practice squad members. Is there an âaverage salaryâ that they make?
PS players are guaranteed a minimum of 216K for 2023 ( source: ESPN)
I assume a player like DuBose just stays on the contract he signed as a draftee. Regardless, it's good money and gives a player the chance to move up. If a player is claimed by another team, goes on their 53 for a couple weeks, gets cut and is out of a job, it's a reason for a PS player to stay right where they are.
@YATittle posted:That safety from Buffalo seems like a special exams guy.
Is ehis one of ehosx puzzles whxrx thx lxeexrs arx switchxd?
@Boris posted:Being a Pro is about more than just what you do in practice or on the field.
I love the fact Sapp is fired up. He IS playing better but keep working and I guarantee things will fall your way.
Injuries happen. Things change. Just keep working hard
Friend of mine is a UNI alum and is pulling for Sapp to make the roster this year. He's also a Vikings fan so it would be awesome to see Sapp picking off Kurt Kousins. 
@justanotherpackerfan posted:Is ehis one of ehosx puzzles whxrx thx lxeexrs arx switchxd?
Stupid autocorrect. Sorry
@Boris posted:The Vikings are effing stupid - I think that goes without saying. $100k is ridiculous for an UDFA
If you are a Priority UDFA, you can sign with a team that has a history of UDFA's making the 53 man roster, or with a team that is willing to overpay to sign you.
Looks like Sims decided to take the money and ride the waiver wire.
I thought this thread was about our week 1 opponent.
Still more churn
The Green Bay Packers signed DL Jonathan Ford to the practice squad and released C James Empey (emp-ee) from the practice squad. The transactions were announced Friday by General Manager Brian Gutekunst.
Ford was on the Packers active roster for all 17 games as a rookie in 2022.
The Packers are a bit thin at interior OL and have none on the PS. I understand hanging onto Ford but I'm a bit surprised a C was released.
I think their fallback is having so many tackles and the ability of Jenkins and Tom to play center. FWIW.
