The Green Bay Packers have made three roster moves on Saturday ahead of the Carolina Panthers game in Week 9. The team promoted linebacker Kristian Welch to the active roster from the practice squad, placing Nick Niemann on injured reserve due to a pectoral issue. Moreover, the Packers also elevated edge defender Arron Mosby for gameday.

Special teams

Nick Niemann has been a central piece of special teams, but he left the Pittsburgh Steelers game last Sunday with a pec injury. Now, he’s forced to miss at least three games. Welch, who was a standout in each of the past two preseasons as a depth defender and special teamer, gets his chance.

Defensive depth

For the third straight week, the Green Bay Packers are elevating edge defender Arron Mosby from the practice squad. That happens because former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness is still out with a foot injury suffered against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Mosby hasn’t played a single defensive snap this season yet, but he offers depth at edge defender and has played 38 special teams snaps.

Depth at edge defender

Without Lukas Van Ness, the Packers’ active roster has only four other players listed as defensive ends — Micah Parsons, Rashan Gary, Kingsley Enagbare, and rookie Barryn Sorrell. Beyond Van Ness being out, Brenton Cox Jr. is on injured reserve and rookie Collin Oliver is still on the physically unable to perform list.

The bad news in regards to Mosby is that this is his final elevation of the season, since practice squad rules allow only three elevations for players throughout the regular season. If the Packers want him to play another game, he will have to be promoted to the 53-man roster.

Undrafted in 2022, Arron Mosby spent his rookie year with the Carolina Panthers and has been in and out of the Packers’ roster since 2023. Last season, Mosby appeared in 16 games, playing 150 snaps on defense and 241 on special teams.

NFL practice squad rules

The NFL increased the practice squad size during COVID and kept some of the adjusted rules. Of the 16 players, 10 must have up to two accrued seasons, while the other six have no restrictions. There’s also an extra spot for a player with an International Pathway Program exemption — but Green Bay hasn’t used it since releasing Irish kicker Mark McNamee.

Throughout the season, teams can elevate practice squad players for gameday. Each player can be elevated three times for the same team without being a member of the active 53-man roster. After the game, the player reverts to the PS.

Practice squad elevations in 2025

Arron Mosby — 3
Micah Robinson — 2
Brant Banks — 1
Lecitus Smith — 1
Pierre Strong Jr. — 1

Packers’ practice squad

RB Pierre Strong Jr.
T Brant Banks
DB Johnathan Baldwin
C/G Lecitus Smith
T Dalton Cooper
DT James Ester
WR Jakobie Keeney-James
LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson
EDGE Arron Mosby
WR Isaiah Neyor
WR Will Sheppard
S Jaylin Simpson
TE Josh Whyle
CB Tyron Herring
DT Dante Barnett (IPP)

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports Green Bay, as “Packers make series of roster moves to create flexibility and depth heading into matchup with Panthers.”

Green Bay Packers News

Potential Denzel Ward scenarios between Packers and Browns spark debate ahead of the trade deadline and what could unfold

Cornerback is 28 and has two and a half years left on his contract with the Browns.

Brandon Little