Packers sign 17 players to the practice squad with three external additions and two notable veterans included

Green Bay has intriguing decisions to make.

Wendell Ferreira — NFL News Writer
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Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Brant Banks (72) is shown during a joint practice with the Seattle Seahawks Thursday, August 21, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Green Bay Packers already have their initial 53-man roster in place. Now, it’s time to build the 17-man practice squad to supplement that group. The Packers have already signed 16 players, with one available spots left.

Over the past few years, more flexible rules have allowed NFL teams to take advantage of the complementary players, which includes in-season elevations.

So for the Packers, it’s a balance between getting extra pieces that can help in 2025 and some developmental projects eyeing the future.

Practice squad signings

CB Micah Robinson (Matt Schneidman)

WR Will Sheppard (Bill Huber)
T Brant Banks (Ryan Wood)
WR Isaiah Neyor (Rob Demovsky)
WR Mecole Hardman (Tom Silverstein)
DT James Ester (Tom Silverstein)
S Jaylin Simpson (Bill Huber)
K Mark McNamee (Tom Silverstein) — International Pathway Program roster exemption
QB Clayton Tune (Bill Huber) — formerly from the Arizona Cardinals
OL Dalton Cooper (Bill Huber) — formerly from the Kansas City Chiefs
RB Israel Abanikanda (Packers)
EDGE Deslin Alexandre (Packers)
DB Johnathan Baldwin (Packers)
LB Jamon Johnson (Packers)
EDGE Arron Mosby (Packers)
LB Kristian Welch (Packers)
TE Josh Whyle (Packers) — formerly from the Tennessee Titans

Players not expected to sign back with the Packers

QB Sean Clifford (Easton Butler)
QB Taylor Elgersma (Bill Huber)
WR Julian Hicks (Bill Huber)
CB Kalen King (Matt Schneidman)
IOL Lecitus Smith (Tom Silverstein)
T Kadeem Telfort (Ryan Wood)
WR Cornelius Johnson (Ryan Wood)
G Tyler Cooper (Bill Huber)
G J.J. Lippe (Bill Huber)
TE Johnny Lumpkin (Easton Butler)

Practice squad rules

The NFL increased the size of the practice squad during Covid and kept some of the adjusted rules. Of the 16 players, 10 must be players with up to two accrued seasons, and there’s no restrictions for the other six.

The league has also allowed a 17th player on the practice squad with a roster exemption as part of the International Pathway Program. Irish kicker Mark McNamee was the Packers’ IPP player throughout the preseason.

During the season, teams can elevate practice squad players for gameday. Each player can be elevated up to three times for the same time without being a member of the active 53-man roster. After the game, the player reverts back to the PS. For the playoffs, there is no limit of elevations for each individual player, even though any team can only elevate two players per game.

Because of all those new and adjusted rules, the practice squad has been a big tool for general manager Brian Gutekunst, head coach Matt LaFleur, and their staffs throughout the season.

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