The Green Bay Packers set their initial practice squad one day after final cuts were made and the players cleared waivers. Each NFL team can keep up to 16 players on the practice squad (plus one player participating in the NFL’s International Player Pathway program) and those players can be elevated to the team’s active roster three times before they must be placed on the 53-man roster permanently. Here is a look at the players the Packers signed to the practice squad and what role they are likely to play this season and why the team added them to the practice squad.
Packers Practice Squad Player Number One: S Jaylin Simpson
The Packers signed Jaylin Simpson during training camp. He was originally selected by the Colts in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Auburn alum split last season between the Colts and Jets practice squads. He will provide the Packers with some depth at safety and can also help out on special teams if he is elevated on game day.
Number Two: DL James Ester
James Ester will return to the practice squad in 2025 after spending all of last season there. He originally joined the Packers as an undrafted free agent before the 2024 season. The 6’3”, 289-pound Northern Illinois alum gives the Packers reliable depth along the defensive line. Ester knows the defense well as he enters his second season with the organization.
Packers Practice Squad Player Number Three: OT Brant Banks
Brant Banks gives the Packers good size and depth at tackle. Banks stands 6’7” and weighs 306 pounds. The undrafted free agent out of Rice joined the Packers on May 2nd. He played both tackle and guard in college, starting games at both positions. The Packers always prefer offensive linemen that can play multiple positions, and Banks has experience doing that.
Number Four: WR Mecole Hardman
The Packers signed wide receiver Mecole Hardman as a free agent this offseason, but the former Chiefs star failed to make the initial roster. Hardman had an uneven preseason, but he did play better in the final game. Hardman’s lack of size and inconsistency hurt him in training camp.
Don’t be surprised if Hardman is elevated early as a return specialist as the Packers may not want to risk regulars like Keisean Nixon and Jayden Reed on kick and punt returns.
Packers Practice Squad Player Number Five: QB Clayton Tune
Neither Sean Clifford nor Taylor Elgersma were added to the practice squad by the Packers. Instead, they signed Clayton Tune who spent the preseason with the Cardinals. The 6’3”, 220-pound University of Houston product was originally drafted by the Cards in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He started one game as a rookie in 2023. In his career thus far, he’s completed 14-of-23 passes for 70 yards and two interceptions. He gives the Packers experienced depth at quarterback in case of emergency.
Number Six: DE Deslin Alexandre
Deslin Alexandre returns to the Packers practice squad for the second straight year. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and has spent time with the Jets and Bears before joining the Packers.
Alexandre gives the Packers some pass rush ability off the edge. He has yet to appear in an NFL regular season game.
Packers Practice Squad Player Number Seven: RB Israel Abanikanda
Israel Abanikanda showed some promise in the preseason and ran with burst and authority. The Packers signed him in July after he was waived by the 49ers. He played six games for the New York Jets in 2023 and gained 70 yards on 22 carries and caught seven passes for 43 yards in six games. In the preseason with the Packers, Abanikanda gained 71 yards on 24 carries and scored one touchdown. He also caught two passes for 13 yards.
Number Eight: CB Johnathan Baldwin
Johnathan Baldwin joined the Packers as an undrafted free agent on May 2nd after starting 36 games at UNLV. The 6’0”, 190-pound cornerback will have a chance to stick on the practice squad after participating in his first NFL training camp this summer.
Packers Practice Squad Player Number Nine: LB Jamon Johnson
Jamon Johnson joined the Packers this offseason as a highly regarded undrafted free agent. He did not stand out in preseason but showed enough promise to make the practice squad. The former Kentucky star can also contribute on special teams. Johnson stands 6’1” and weighs 236 pounds. His lack of size was one reason he was not drafted this year.
Number Ten: DE Arron Mosby
Arron Mosby played 16 games for the Packers last season. The Fresno State alum surprised a lot of people last summer by making the team after a strong preseason finale. He recorded half a sack and deflected two passes while making 12 total tackles. This year, Mosby had to settle for a berth on the practice squad, but the coaching staff knows what he’s capable of and he knows the defense well.
Packers Practice Squad Player Number Eleven: WR Will Sheppard
The Packers like receivers with size and at 6’3”and 196 pounds, Will Sheppard fits the bill. He had a strong preseason after joining the Packers in July. The Colorado alum originally signed with Tampa Bay and had a tryout with Denver before signing with the Packers. Sheppard caught three passes for 23 yards during the preseason and scored one touchdown.
Number Twelve: WR Isaiah Neyor
Isaiah Neyor joined the Packers as an undrafted free agent in early August after being let go by the 49ers. The Nebraska alum didn’t catch any passes during the preseason. The Packers love his 6’4”, 218-pound frame. He will need some time to get a better grasp of the offense but can contribute on special teams at any time.
Packers Practice Squad Player Number Thirteen: LB Kristian Welch
Wisconsin native Kristian Welch returns to the Packers, this time on the practice squad. The Iowa alum spent 2023 with the Packers before splitting time last season with the Ravens and Broncos. Welch has been a core special teams player. On defense, he lacks elite athleticism but provides experience and a knowledge of the defense. Welch grew up a Packers fan and will be excited to rejoin the Packers.
Number Fourteen: K Mark McNamee
The Packers signed Mark McNamee during training camp although the native of Ireland joined the team late after he ironed out some visa issues. McNamee will be the Packers player in the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, which gives the Packers a 17th player on the practice squad. McNamee missed a few kicks during the preseason but will now have more time to learn about life in the NFL as part of the Packers practice squad.
Packers Practice Squad Player Number Fifteen: TBA
Number 16: TBA
Packers Practice Squad Player Number Seventeen: TBA
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