Packers roster moves add to growing list of concerns as Green Bay faces tricky short week before Commanders primetime matchup
Green Bay has made three roster decisions.
The Green Bay Packers have made a series of roster moves ahead of the Washington Commanders game on ‘Thursday Night Football,’ and those bring a tough reality into focus. The team will certainly be without impactful weapons in the game.
The Packers placed edge defender Brenton Cox on injured reserve, which means he will miss at least four games with a groin injury. Meanwhile, Green Bay elevated cornerback Micah Robinson and offensive lineman Brant Banks for gameday.
Those are indications that right tackle Zach Tom (oblique), and left guard Aaron Banks (ankle/groin) will not be available to play in Week 2.
Second elevation for the rookie corner
A seventh-round pick, Micah Robinson had originally made the initial 53-man roster, but was cut when the Packers signed linebacker Nick Niemann one day later. Signed back to the practice squad, he was active for the first game of the season last Sunday, but didn’t have a single snap. Elevated for the second time, he will receive a regular gamecheck and revert back to the practice squad after the game—he only has one elevation left for the regular season.
Nate Hobbs is expected to play, though, and Robinson’s elevation is a consequence of Bo Melton being out.
Intriguing prospect to offer depth
Brant Banks was signed by the Packers as an undrafted free agent and had strong performances in the preseason. He didn’t make the 53-man roster, but was a priority signing for the practice squad. With Tom and Aaron Banks presumably out, he will serve as the eighth offensive lineman.
Right tackle Zach Tom (oblique) and left guard Aaron Banks (ankle/groin) are both listed as questionable and are considered long shots to play on Thursday night. With both out, the Packers had only seven active offensive linemen for the game.
With the elevation of Banks, Green Bay has more depth at a key position group. The Packers are expected to start former first-round pick Jordan Morgan at left guard and recently-acquired Darian Kinnard at right tackle. Both played snaps in the opener against the Detroit Lions—Morgan, by the way, not only because of the injuries, but also because he was rotating with Sean Rhyan at right guard.
The backups will be second-round rookie Anthony Belton, Donovan Jennings, and Brant Banks.
NFL 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. There’s also an extra spot for a player with an International Pathway Program exemption—for Green Bay, it’s Irish kicker Mark McNamee.
Throughout the season, teams can elevate practice squad players for gameday. Each player can be elevated up to three times for the same team without being a member of the active 53-man roster. After the game, the player reverts back to the PS.
Practice squad elevations in 2025
Micah Robinson — 2
Brant Banks — 1
Packers’ practice squad
RB Pierre Strong
EDGE Deslin Alexandre
DB Johnathan Baldwin
T Brant Banks
G Dalton Cooper
DT James Ester
WR Mecole Hardman
LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson
K Mark McNamee
EDGE Arron Mosby
WR Isaiah Neyor
CB Micah Robinson
WR Will Sheppard
S Jaylin Simpson
QB Clayton Tune
LB Kristian Welch
TE Josh Whyle
Green Bay Packers News
Packers concerning string of injuries leaves the offense in a tough spot before primetime battle with the Commanders
Aaron Banks and Zach Tom are questionable to play.
