Packers’ slew of roster moves includes two disappointing outcomes that could impact the team moving forward
Jayden Reed hasn’t been activated and Lukas Havrisik was waived by the Packers, but there are more roster moves ahead of Lions game.
The Green Bay Packers made a series of roster moves on Wednesday ahead of the Detroit Lions game on Thanksgiving. But the most notable part is the move they didn’t make: Wide receiver Jayden Reed wasn’t activated from the injured reserve just yet, so he’s officially out against the Lions.
The other disappointing outcome is the decision to waive kicker Lucas Havrisik. That was the expected outcome anyway, especially now that veteran Brandon McManus is healthy, but the Packers could have some value opportunity with Havrisik earlier this season. Now that the trade deadline has passed, though, any deal was off the table.
Packers’ roster moves
- Waived kicker Lucas Havrisik
- Signed wide receiver Will Sheppard from the practice squad
- Elevated linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson and safety Jaylin Simpson from the practice squad for gameday
- Didn’t activate Jayden Reed from injured reserve
Decisions
With Jayden Reed out versus the Lions, plus some injury issues limiting Matthew Golden (wrist), Dontayvion Wicks (calf), and Savion Williams (foot), the Packers decided to promote Will Sheppard to the 53-man roster.
Jaylin Simpson is a safety, but could play some cornerback as well — an important depth option with Keisean Nixon (neck) and Nate Hobbs (knee) both handling injuries. Jamon Dumas-Johnson was elevated for the second consecutive game, but he was inactive against the Minnesota Vikings — Quay Walker is recovering from a neck injury as well.
NFL practice squad rules
The NFL increased the practice squad size during COVID-19 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, which Green Bay is using for English defensive tackle Dante Barnett.
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
Pierre Strong Jr. — 2
Micah Robinson — 2
Jamon Dumas-Johnson — 2
Jaylin Simpson — 1
Kristian Welch — 1
Brant Banks — 1
Lecitus Smith — 1
Packers’ practice squad
S Johnathan Baldwin
LT Brant Banks
TE McCallan Castles
T Dalton Cooper
TE Drake Dabney
LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson
DT James Ester
CB Tyron Herring
WR Jakobie Keeney-James
WR Isaiah Neyor
S Jaylin Simpson
IOL Lecitus Smith
RB Pierre Strong Jr.
QB Clayton Tune
WR Michael Woods II
DT Dante Barnett (IPP)
Detroit Lions News
Lions vs. Packers Final Score Predictions: Jared Goff and Jordan Love face off in huge matchup with monster NFC North implications
Winner puts itself in position to win the NFC North in what has been a close competition between Lions, Packers, and Bears.
