Benny Sapp III – Syndication Server

Packers sign rookie S Benny Sapp III to 53-man roster

The Packers signed rookie safety Benny Sapp III from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Saturday.

The Green Bay Packers filled one of their two open roster spots by signing rookie safety Benny Sapp III from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Saturday.

Sapp, an undrafted rookie out of Northern Iowa, was previously elevated the maximum three times from the practice squad and needed to be signed to play again for the Packers this season. He will provide depth at safety and give Rich Bisaccia another option on special teams over the final two weeks of the 2023 season.

Sapp appeared in regular season games against the Los Angeles Chargers, Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers. He had tackles on special teams against the Chargers and Lions and drew a holding penalty on the opening kickoff against the Panthers last Sunday.

Over three games, Sapp has played 26 snaps on special teams: 18 on kickoff coverage and eight on kickoff return. His 13 special teams snaps last week in Carolina were a career high.

Sapp had a win-sealing interception for the Packers during the preseason finale, helping him earn a spot on the practice squad to open the season. He was the team’s third-highest graded defensive player over three preseason games, per PFF.

Benny Sapp III seals the W for the @Packers with an INT! #SEAvsGB @BennySappIII pic.twitter.com/sJYBgN5QnS

— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2023

Sapp’s first career game on the 53-man roster will come Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings. His father, Benny Sapp II, played 37 career games with the Vikings over the 2008, 2009 and 2011 seasons. While with the Kansas City Chiefs, Sapp II intercepted Packers quarterback Brett Favre during a loss to Green Bay during the 2007 season.

Considering the Packers had 10 players with designations on the final injury report, Sapp has a terrific chance of being on the active 46-man roster against the Vikings.

Before signing Sapp, the Packers had two roster spots available — one from suspending Jaire Alexander for a game, and one from placing Eric Stokes on injured reserve. The team still has one open spot, which may go to Alexander when he returns from suspension next week.

Packers elevate WR Bo Melton, S Benny Sapp III from practice squad for Week 16 vs. Panthers

The Packers elevated WR Bo Melton and S Benny Sapp III from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 16 vs. the Panthers.

The Green Bay Packers elevated receiver Bo Melton and safety Benny Sapp III from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 16. The move was announced Saturday, making Melton and Sapp available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday’s showdown with the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.

The moves provide depth at two positions dealing with injuries entering Sunday.

Melton gives the Packers another option at receiver, where Christian Watson (hamstring) is doubtful and both Jayden Reed (chest, toe) and Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) are questionable to play. This is the second straight elevation for Melton, who caught one pass on two targets for seven yards while playing 18 offensive snaps last week against the Buccaneers. He could once again factor in on pre-snap motion looks and from the slot if Reed is limited.

The other healthy receivers on the 53-man roster are Romeo Doubs, Malik Heath and Samori Toure.

Sapp was elevated for the third and final time. He can help the Packers fill in the gaps with Darnell Savage (shoulder) out and Rudy Ford now questionable due to a back injury. In his previous two games as a practice squad elevation this season, Sapp played three snaps on defense and 13 on special teams.

The Packers did not elevate a running back, suggesting A.J. Dillon (questionable, thumb) will play. Nor did they elevate a defensive lineman, so expect T.J. Slaton (questionable, knee/foot) to go on Sunday.

Green Bay’s final injury report on Friday featured 13 players with playing status designations, so LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst had to be especially intentional about the practice squad elevations this week.

All teams are allowed to elevate up to two players from the practice squad each week. An individual player can only be elevated from the practice squad three times per season, so Melton has one elevation remaining and Sapp is out of elevations. On Monday, Melton and Sapp will revert back to the practice squad.

Elevations by week

Week 1: RB Patrick Taylor, DB Innis Gaines
Week 2: RB Patrick Taylor, DB Innis Gaines
Week 3: RB Patrick Taylor, CB Corey Ballentine
Week 4: CB Corey Ballentine, CB Kiondre Thomas
Week 5: CB Corey Ballentine
Week 7: None
Week 8: None
Week 9: DB Innis Gaines
Week 10: None
Week 11: S Benny Sapp III
Week 12: S Benny Sapp III, FB Henry Pearson
Week 13: RB James Robinson, FB Henry Pearson
Week 14: RB Kenyan Drake
Week 15: RB Kenyan Drake, WR Bo Melton
Week 16: WR Bo Melton, S Benny Sapp III

Packers elevate S Benny Sapp III from practice squad for Week 11 vs. Chargers

The Packers elevated S Benny Sapp III from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 11 vs. the Chargers.

The Green Bay Packers elevated safety Benny Sapp III from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 11. The move was announced Saturday, making Sapp available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday’s showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers at Lambeau Field.

Sapp is an undrafted rookie out of Northern Iowa. If active as expected, Sunday will be his first appearance in an NFL regular season game.

The Packers need depth at safety, where preferred starters Rudy Ford is doubtful to play and Darnell Savage remains on injured reserve. Jonathan Owens and rookie Anthony Jonhson Jr. will be expected to start vs. the Chargers.

Sapp, the son of former NFL cornerback Benny Sapp II, played 54 games at the collegiate level. He transferred from Minnesota to Northern Iowa and played in 30 straight games between 2020 and 2022. The Packers signed him in May.

Over three preseason games, Sapp was on the field for 63 total snaps on defense, recording two tackles and the game-ending interception in the preseason finale vs. the Seahawks. He was among the Packers defense’s highest-graded players during the exhibition schedule.

Sapp is the fifth different Packers player to be elevated from the practice squad this season. Three of the previous four — Patrick Taylor, Corey Ballentine and Innis Gaines — ended up on the 53-man roster for at least one game.

All teams are allowed to elevate up to two players from the practice squad each week. An individual player can only be elevated from the practice squad three times per season, so Sapp has two elevations remaining. On Monday, Sapp will revert back to the practice squad.