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Packers elevate OLB Keshawn Banks from practice squad for divisional round vs. 49ers

The Packers elevated OLB Keshawn Banks from the practice squad to the gameday roster for the NFC Divisional Round vs. the 49ers.

The Green Bay Packers elevated outside linebacker Keshawn Banks from the practice squad to the gameday roster for the NFC Divisional Round. The move was announced Saturday afternoon, making Long available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Saturday night’s showdown with the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.

Banks, an undrafted rookie out of San Diego State, is being elevated for the first time this season. The move is an obvious answer to Kingsley Enagbare’s season-ending knee injury, providing the Packers with additional depth at edge rusher and a potential replacement for Enagbare on special teams.

Banks played in 59 career games at San Diego State. He produced 42 tackles for loss and 13.0 sacks. During the 2023 preseason, Banks finished with five tackles, two pressures and one batted pass over 72 snaps across three games. He has spent the entire season on the Packers practice squad.

The Packers did not elevate cornerback David Long Jr., suggesting the team thinks Jaire Alexander (ankle, questionable) will play Saturday night. Long was elevated last week when Alexander was a true game-time decision.

The Packers had only four players with status designations on the final injury report: Alexander, running back A.J. Dillon, linebacker Isaiah McDuffie and punter Daniel Whelan. All four are questionable.

Although the Packers signed punter Pat O’Donnell to the practice squad on Saturday, he was not immediately elevated to the gameday roster — suggesting Whelan is good to go for Saturday night.

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 Banks has two elevations remaining. On Monday, Banks will revert back to the practice squad.

The Packers elevated at least one player during 16 of their 19 games this season. Banks represents the 24th time a player has been elevated from the practice squad by the Packers this season.

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
Week 17: WR Bo Melton
Week 18: WR Grant DuBose
WC: CB David Long Jr.
DV: OLB Keshawn Banks

Packers elevate CB David Long Jr. from practice squad for wildcard round vs. Cowboys

The Packers elevated CB David Long Jr. from the practice squad to the gameday roster for the NFC Wild Card Round vs. the Cowboys.

The Green Bay Packers elevated cornerback David Long Jr. from the practice squad to the gameday roster for the NFC Wild Card Round. The move was announced Saturday, making Long available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday’s showdown with the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

The Packers re-signed Long to the practice squad on Friday. He played in three games with the Packers after being claimed off waivers in early December but was released last week. Long was on the field for 14 special teams snaps.

Long’s elevation is an obvious answer to Jaire Alexander’s status for Sunday. The All-Pro cornerback is questionable to play with an ankle injury, meaning the Packers have only four healthy cornerbacks — Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Corey Ballentine and Robert Rochell — on the 53-man roster. Alexander will be a game-time decision. Long, who has played in 62 career NFL games, provides valuable experience and depth at the position entering a game against Dak Prescott and the NFL’s No. 1 scoring offense.

This will actually be the second time Long faces the Cowboys this season. He played eight snaps on defense and 12 on special teams while with the Carolina Panthers in a 33-10 loss to the Cowboys on Nov. 19. Sunday will be Long’s first playoff game since winning the Super Bowl with the Rams on Feb. 13, 2022.

The Packers didn’t elevate a wide receiver, which could be good news for Christian Watson, who is also questionable to play. Last week, the Packers elevated rookie Grant DuBose from the practice squad but made him inactive.

The Packers had only three players with status designations on the final injury report: Alexander, Watson and running back A.J. Dillon. Emanuel Wilson and Patrick Taylor will back up Aaron Jones, so no move was required at running back.

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 Long has two elevations remaining. On Monday, Long will revert back to the practice squad.

The Packers elevated at least one player during 15 of their 18 games this season. Long represents the 23rd time a player has been elevated from the practice squad by the Packers this season.

Elevations by week

Packers elevate WR Grant DuBose from practice squad for Week 18 vs. Bears

The Packers elevated WR Grant DuBose from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 18 vs. the Bears.

The Green Bay Packers elevated receiver Grant DuBose from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 18. The move was announced Saturday, making DuBose available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday’s showdown with the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field.

This is the first elevation for DuBose, a seventh-round pick of the Packers in the 2023 draft.

The big question entering Sunday: Does elevating DuBose mean the Packers simply want an extra layer of protection at a position that has been consistently affected by injury, or is a currently injured player in danger of missing the contest? Christian Watson (hamstring), Jayden Reed (chest) and Dontayvion Wicks (chest) all practiced this week but are questionable to play Sunday. DuBose’s elevation might mean one is trending toward being inactive against the Bears.

With Watson, Reed, Wicks, Romeo Doubs, Malik Heath and the recently signed Bo Melton, the Packers have six receivers on the 53-man roster. DuBose is the seventh on the gameday roster.

While elevated, DuBose doesn’t necessarily have to be active Sunday. He could be a safeguard against any kind of setback — especially for Watson — leading into the game against the Bears.

The Packers listed 11 players with playing status designations on the final injury, but only one elevation from the practice squad suggests the team isn’t overly concerned about the injury situation entering Sunday.

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 DuBose has two elevations remaining. On Monday, DuBose will revert back to the practice squad.

The Packers elevated at least one player during 14 of their 17 games this season. DuBose represents the 22nd time a player has been elevated from the practice squad by the Packers this season.

Elevations by week

Packers elevate WR Bo Melton from practice squad for Week 17 vs. Vikings

The Packers elevated WR Bo Melton from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 17 vs. the Vikings.

The Green Bay Packers elevated receiver Bo Melton from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 17. The move was announced Saturday, making Melton available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday night’s showdown with the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Melton, a second-year receiver out of Rutgers, has been elevated each of the last three weeks.

Once again, depth was needed at receiver, a position where Christian Watson (doubtful, hamstring) isn’t expected to play and Dontayvion Wicks (questionable, chest/ankle) didn’t practice all week. While the Packers will return Jayden Reed, Melton has earned more playing time after catching five passes and producing four first downs over the last two games. Last week, Melton caught a career-high four passes and delivered a couple of key conversions against the Carolina Panthers.

Melton became the fifth player to be elevated from the practice squad three times by the Packers this season.

Last week, receivers coach Jason Vrable said he really liked the way Melton has progressed over the 2023 season.

“He’s done a tremendous job on special teams in practice, and he’s doing a great job on scout team, and every time I give him a rep, speaking of Bo, he would go out there and make a play at practice with Jordan,” Vrable said.

Melton played a career-high 25 snaps on offense during last week’s win in Charlotte. He was targeted six times and finished with five touches.

The Packers also signed safety Benny Sapp III to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. Sapp was out of elevations.

Green Bay’s final injury report on Friday featured nine players with playing status designations, and the addition of Eric Stokes made it 10 on Saturday. Reinforcements from the practice squad were likely needed to complete an active 46-man roster for Sunday night.

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 is out of elevations and would need to be signed to the roster to play for the Packers again this season. On Monday, Melton will revert back to the practice squad.

Elevations by week

Colts’ gameday roster vs. Falcons in Week 16

Here’s a look at the Colts’ gameday roster for Week 16, sorted by jersey number.

The Indianapolis Colts (8-6) are looking to continue their playoff push with a road matchup against the Atlanta Falcons (6-8) on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

As it pertains to the roster, the Colts made some big changes leading up to this game. They suspended Isaiah McKenzie and Tony Brown for conduct detrimental to the team. That led to a pair of open roster spots, which they filled by promoting a running back and cornerback from the practice squad.

The Colts also elevated an offensive tackle and wide receiver from the practice squad for the game.

Here’s a look at the Colts’ gameday roster in Week 16, sorted by jersey number:

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

Packers elevate RB Kenyan Drake, WR Bo Melton from practice squad for Week 15 vs. Buccaneers

The Packers elevated RB Kenyan Drake and WR Bo Melton from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 15 vs. the Buccaneers.

The Green Bay Packers elevated running back Kenyan Drake and receiver Bo Melton from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 15. The move was announced Saturday, making Drake available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday’s showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lambeau Field.

Drake was elevated from the practice squad last week in New York but did not appear in the game. The eighth-year pro signed with the Packers on Dec. 5 and will once again provide a veteran option at running back, where the team is dealing with injuries to both Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon. Jones has missed three straight ga but is planning to return Sunday, while Dillon has a broken thumb. Both are questionable to play.

Drake has 868 career rushes and 218 career catches over 103 regular-season games with four different teams.

While with the Ravens last year, Drake rushed for 62 yards and caught a touchdown pass in a win over the Buccaneers.

Melton, who signed to the active roster before the Packers beat the Lions on Thanksgiving, provides much-needed depth at wide receiver. Dontayvion Wicks is questionable, Christian Watson is doubtful and Jayden Reed is dealing with an ankle injury.

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 Drake has one elevation remaining. Melton has two more. On Monday, Drake and Melton will revert back to the practice squad.

Elevations by week

Colts’ gameday roster vs. Steelers in Week 15

Here is the gameday roster for the Colts in Week 15, sorted by jersey number.

The Indianapolis Colts (7-6) are looking to get back into the win column as they are set to host the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) at Lucas Oil Stadium for a crucial Saturday matchup in Week 15.

As it pertains to the roster, the Colts promoted wide receiver D.J. Montgomery to the active roster and waived guard Arlington Hambright, who was then signed to the practice squad.

The Colts also elevated a running back and wide receiver from the practice squad for the game.

Here’s a look at the Colts’ gameday roster in Week 15, sorted by jersey number:

Packers elevate RB Kenyan Drake from practice squad for Week 14 vs. Giants

The Packers elevated RB Kenyan Drake from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 14 vs. the Giants.

The Green Bay Packers elevated running back Kenyan Drake from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 14. The move was announced Monday, making Drake available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Monday night’s showdown with the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.

Drake, who signed in Green Bay on Dec. 5, will give the Packers a veteran option at running back behind A.J. Dillon and Patrick Taylor. The elevation is an obvious response to the availability of Aaron Jones, who is not expected to play for a third consecutive game due to a knee injury.

Drake, now in his eighth NFL season, has experience as a runner, pass-catcher and kick returner. His presence may allow the Packers to use Taylor on more special teams units.

Earlier this week, coach Matt LaFleur said Drake had done a “nice job” absorbing the offense and handling his duties in walk-through portions of practice.

Drake played in two games with the Baltimore Ravens this season, rushing once for no gain and catching two passes for 31 yards. Between 2020 and 2022, Drake produced 2,208 yards and 18 total touchdowns across 39 games with three different teams.

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 Drake has two elevations remaining. On Tuesday, Drake will revert back to the practice squad.

Elevations by week

Colts’ gameday roster in Week 14 vs. Bengals

Here’s a look at the gameday roster for the Colts in Week 14, sorted by jersey number.

The Indianapolis Colts (7-5) are looking to stay hot amid a four-game winning streak as they visit the Cincinnati Bengals (6-6) on Sunday at Paycor Stadium.

As it pertains to the roster, a major move was made in activating defensive tackle Grover Stewart from the suspended list.

The Colts also elevated a running back and wide receiver from the practice squad for the game.

Here’s a look at the Colts’ gameday roster in Week 14, sorted by jersey number: