Tag: elevation

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.

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

Packers elevate S Innis Gaines from practice squad for Week 9 vs. Rams

The Packers elevated S Innis Gaines from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 9 vs. the Rams.

The Green Bay Packers elevated safety Innis Gaines from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 9. The move was announced Saturday, making Gaines available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday’s showdown with the Los Angeles Rams at Lambeau Field.

Gaines has been elevated from the practice squad three times in 2023. After Sunday, he would need to be signed to the 53-man roster to play for the Packers again this season.

The Packers are thin at safety with Darnell Savage on injured reserve and Rudy Ford — who is questionable to play Sunday — battling a calf injury. While veteran Jonathan Owens is an expected starter vs. the Rams, Anthony Johnson Jr. is an inexperienced rookie learning how to play safety and Dallin Leavitt and Zayne Anderson are mostly special teamers.

Gaines’ biggest contribution will likely come on special teams, but he does have experience playing in the slot in dime package personnel groups.

Gaines, an undrafted free agent out of TCU, played five defensive snaps and 19 special teams in Week 1 vs. the Chicago Bears and 16 special teams snaps in Week 2 vs. the Atlanta Falcons.

Gaines is the third Packers player to be elevated three times this season, joining Patrick Taylor, who is now in New England, and Corey Ballentine, who was signed to the 53-man roster.

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 Gaines is now out of elevations. On Monday, Gaines 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

Packers elevate CB Corey Ballentine from practice squad for Week 5 vs. Raiders

The Packers elevated CB Corey Ballentine from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 5 vs. the Raiders.

The Green Bay Packers elevated cornerback Corey Ballentine from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 5. The move was announced Monday, making Ballentine available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Monday night’s showdown with the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.

Ballentine has been elevated each of the last three weeks and is now out of elevations. He would need to be signed to the 53-man roster to play for the Packers again this season.

While Jaire Alexander is expected to return from a back injury and play against the Raiders, Ballentine provides insurance at the position, especially considering Eric Stokes (PUP) was not activated to the 53-man roster.

With Alexander out the last two weeks, Ballentine played 80 defensive snaps at cornerback vs. the Saints and Lions. He was also on the field for 36 special teams snaps, or two-thirds of the Packers’ snaps on special teams over the last two weeks. Unless Alexander suffers a setback, Ballentine will be mostly a special teamer on Monday night.

Last week, the Packers used Ballentine more against the run-heavy Lions. Rookie Carrington Valentine, who was a full participant at practice all week, is another backup option at cornerback. It’s unclear if the Packers favor Valentine or Ballentine as the No. 4 cornerback this week, but Ballentine’s elevation suggests it could be him.

The Packers also signed running back Patrick Taylor (who was out of elevations) from the practice squad and released outside linebacker Justin Hollins on Monday.

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 Ballentine is now out of elevations. On Tuesday, Ballentine 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

Packers elevate CBs Corey Ballentine and Kiondre Thomas from practice squad for Week 4 vs. Lions

The Packers elevated CBs Corey Ballentine and Kiondre Thomas from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 4 vs. the Lions.

The Green Bay Packers elevated cornerbacks Corey Ballentine and Kiondre Thomas from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 4. The move was announced Thursday, making Ballentine and Thomas available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Thursday night’s showdown with the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field.

The elevation is the second for Ballentine and first for Thomas. Ballentine was elevated for Week 3 against the Saints.

The elevations reflect the team’s injury situation at cornerback, where Jaire Alexander is nursing a back injury and likely won’t play against the Lions and rookie Carrington Valentine has a biceps injury and is questionable to play.

Last week, Ballentine was on the field for 18 special teams snaps across five phases (he played over 100 special teams snaps for the Packers last season) and 30 snaps on defense. He was forced onto the field for Joe Barry’s defense after Valentine hurt his biceps in the first half. Ballentine gave up four catches but also had a key pass breakup on third down in the second half vs. the Saints.

Thomas could make his Packers regular season debut. He played in four games for the Chargers in 2021 but has not been on the field for the Packers in a regular season game despite spending most of the last two seasons on the team’s practice squad.

No roster move was made for running back Patrick Taylor, who was elevated each of the first three weeks. He’s out of elevations and would need to be signed to the 53-man roster to play for the Packers again this season.

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 Ballentine has only one more elevation available this season. Thomas has two. On Friday, both 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

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Packers elevate RB Patrick Taylor, CB Corey Ballentine from practice squad for Week 3 vs. Saints

The Packers elevated RB Patrick Taylor and CB Corey Ballentine from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 3 vs. the Saints.

The Green Bay Packers elevated running back Patrick Taylor and cornerback Corey Ballentine from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 3. The move was announced Saturday, making Taylor and Ballentine available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday’s showdown with the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field.

The elevation is the third for Taylor and the first for Ballentine. Taylor was brought up for both Week 1 vs. the Bears and Week 2 vs. the Falcons.

Taylor has rushed six times for 23 yards while playing 20 snaps on special teams. As was the case last week, Aaron Jones is questionable to play because of a hamstring injury.

Ballentine appears to have taken the elevation of Innis Gaines, who is dealing with a new injury. Gaines was elevated from the practice squad in both Week 1 and Week 2 and played a crucial role on special teams, including as a gunner. That role may now go to Ballentine, who was a core member of the special teams in Green Bay to end last season.

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 Ballentine has two more elevations available this season. Taylor is out of elevations and would need to be signed to the 53-man roster to contribute next week. On Monday, both 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

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Packers elevate RB Patrick Taylor, DB Innis Gaines from practice squad for Week 2 vs. Falcons

The Packers elevated RB Patrick Taylor and DB Innis Gaines from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 2 vs. the Falcons.

The Green Bay Packers elevated running back Patrick Taylor and defensive back Innis Gaines from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 2. The move was announced Saturday, making Taylor and Gaines available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday’s showdown with the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes Benz Stadium.

The elevation is the second of up to three for both players. Taylor and Gaines were both brought up from the practice squad for the season opener against the Bears.

Taylor played seven snaps on offense, rushing five times for 22 yards (also played nine snaps on special teams), while Gaines was on the field for 19 special teams snaps, tied for the third-most on the Packers roster in Week 1.

The Packers may need Taylor to play more snaps at running back if Aaron Jones, who is questionable, can’t go. He and Emanuel Wilson would be the backups behind A.J. Dillon. Gaines appears to be a core special teamer for Rich Bisaccia; the versatile defensive back played snaps on kickoff return, kickoff coverage, punt return and punt coverage. Gaines had one tackle but committed a penalty and missed a tackle against the Bears.

As was the case last week, the Packers did not elevate a wide receiver from the practice squad despite Christian Watson’s uncertain playing status.

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 Taylor and Gaines now have only one more elevation available this season. On Monday, both 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

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Packers elevate RB Patrick Taylor, DB Innis Gaines from practice squad for Week 1 vs. Bears

The Packers elevated RB Patrick Taylor and DB Innis Gaines from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 1 vs. the Bears.

The Green Bay Packers elevated running back Patrick Taylor and defensive back Innis Gaines from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 1. The move was announced Saturday, making Taylor and Gaines available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday’s showdown with the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.

The elevation is the first of up to three for both players. Last season, Taylor was elevated from the practice squad the maximum three times, while Gaines was elevated twice. Both were eventually signed to the 53-man roster.

Taylor and Gaines will be special teams contributors for Rich Bisaccia on Sunday against the Bears.

Both players were released during final roster cutdowns but re-signed to the practice squad.

Taylor gives the Packers depth at running back, making it possible rookie Emanuel Wilson will be a gameday inactive on Sunday. Gaines can play slot cornerback and safety and may take the gameday roster spot of rookie Anthony Johnson Jr., who is dealing with a knee injury and could be an inactive.

Of note, the Packers did not elevate a wide receiver (Bo Melton or Grant DuBose) despite not having Christian Watson available. The move (or lack thereof) suggests Romeo Doubs will play against the Bears.

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 Taylor and Gaines now have two more elevation available this season. On Monday, both will revert back to the practice squad.

Elevations by week

Week 1: RB Patrick Taylor, DB Innis Gaines

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Playing a mile above sea level can be an advantage for Sean Payton’s Broncos

The Broncos have the second-best home winning percentage in the NFL over the last 50 years.

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The Denver Broncos love reminding opposing teams that they play a mile above sea level with signs pointing it out at their aptly-named Empower Field at Mile High Stadium.

Playing at such a high elevation against teams that aren’t conditioned for it can give the Broncos an edge, both physically and mentally. New players — and coaches — who joined Denver this offseason will have to adjust to it this summer. Once they are adjusted, the elevation can serve as an advantage.

“All the coaches when we first arrived went up a set of steps, and for two weeks, all of us were looking at each other like, ‘This is nuts,'” Payton recalled during his media session at rookie minicamp earlier this month. “Pretty soon, it goes away. We talk a lot about hydration and getting acclimated. Generally speaking, I’m not an expert on that.

“When [the Saints] traveled here, we spent a lot of time discussing if we should come two days early, or do you come the normal one day early. The experts would say the only way to get acclimated is to come 10 days early. If not, then come as late as possible and make sure you’re hydrating. We’re making sure they understand that. The benefits of being here on a constant basis is this is your baseline. When you do travel to sea level — so many Olympic athletes train at altitude so that there hopefully is a benefit. We talk about it.”

The Broncos have the second-best home win percentage (.684) in the NFL over the last 50 years, only trailing the Pittsburgh Steelers (.714). Playing a mile above sea level is just one of many factors for that impressive home record, but it shouldn’t be overlooked as a genuine advantage.

Every advantage adds up in the NFL, and being accustomed to playing a mile above sea level will be useful for Denver’s nine home games this fall.

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Vikings elevate two from practice squad ahead of Week 17 game vs. Packers

The Vikings fortified the trenches with this move

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The Minnesota Vikings are not only dealing with injury issues, but they are also trying to give their players a modicum of rest. They are doing so by rotating players in and out for a series at a time.

In order to help with that, along with some needed depth, the Viking are elevating center Kyle Hinton and defensive lineman T.J. Smith.

Hinton was elevated last week ahead of the Christmas Eve matchup against the New York Giants but they ended up deactivating him. He was there to provide depth due to the back injury to Garrett Bradbury.

Smith has yet to be activated this season. He played in one game with the Vikings in 2021.

Packers elevate K Ramiz Ahmed, RB Tyler Goodson from practice squad to gameday roster for Week 17

The Packers elevated K Ramiz Ahmed and RB Tyler Goodson from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 17 against the Vikings.

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The Green Bay Packers elevated kicker Ramiz Ahmed and running back Tyler Goodson from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 17. The move was announced Saturday, making Ahmed and Goodson available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday’s showdown with the Minnesota Vikings.

Ahmed was previously elevated to the gameday roster for Week 10 against the Cowboys. He handled kickoffs for Mason Crosby, who was battling a back injury at the time.

The idea is probably similar this time around. Ahmed is likely to be used on kickoffs, where his strong leg will provide an opportunity to get the football into the end zone and avoid returns from Kene Nwangwu of the Vikings.

Of Crosby’s 62 kickoffs this season, 50 have been returned. The weather doesn’t help. Of his last 32 kickoffs, 29 have been returned. The 38-year-old just doesn’t have the leg strength to consistently kick the ball out of range of the returner, especially in colder temps.

Ahmed played six snaps (all on kickoffs) and had one assisted tackle during the Packers’ win over the Cowboys. Three of his six kickoffs were returned.

Nwangwu is among the league leaders in kickoff return yardage and kickoff return average, and he’s the only player in the NFL with more than one kickoff return touchdown over the last two seasons.

Although the Packers have covered kicks well this season, a touchback is the safest option against a great returner.

In Goodson, the Packers will have another running back who can handle carries and possibly help in the return game as an emergency option. This is the first elevation to the gameday roster for the undrafted rookie from Iowa.

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 Ahmed now has one more elevation available this season. Goodson has two. On Monday, Ahmed and Goodson will revert back to the practice squad.

Elevations by week

Week 1: WR Juwann Winfree, S Micah Abernathy
Week 2: RB Patrick Taylor
Week 3: WR Juwann Winfree
Week 4: CB Kiondre Thomas
Week 5: None
Week 6: WR Juwann Winfree
Week 7: OLB La’Darius Hamilton
Week 8: S Innis Gaines, OLB Kobe Jones
Week 9: None
Week 10: OLB La’Darius Hamilton, K Ramiz Ahmed
Week 11: OLB La’Darius Hamilton
Week 12: RB Patrick Taylor, S Innis Gaines
Week 13: S Micah Abernathy, RB Patrick Taylor
Week 17: K Ramiz Ahmed, RB Tyler Goodson

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