Packers Roster Moves: What They Mean for Tonight vs. Lions

The Green Bay Packers have elevated both of their practice squad cornerbacks for Thursday night’s game against the Detroit Lions.

Just as interesting, the Packers chose not to make a couple other roster moves.

Here’s what it all means for the big NFC North showdown.

Elevated: Corey Ballentine

Ballentine was elevated for last week’s game against the New Orleans Saints. The Packers might not have won without him.

Ballentine played the entire second half on Sunday, when starting cornerback Jaire Alexander was inactive due to a back injury and his replacement, rookie Carrington Valentine, was unable to play the second half due to a biceps injury sustained in the second quarter.

“The coverage that all those guys did, it was a great job,” defensive coordinator Joe Barry said. “And we had new guys in there. We had Corey Ballentine, [who] just got called up and was just going to be our fifth corner and then, all of a sudden, he plays the entire second half. Kudos to [defensive passing game coordinator] Greg Williams and Corey just going and playing and doing a great job.”

A sixth-round pick by the Giants in 2019, Ballentine’s 30 defensive snaps vs. the Saints were his most since the opener to the 2020 season. He could make his first start since Week 2 of that season if the Packers rest Alexander to make sure he's 100 percent for next Monday night's game against Davante Adams and the Raiders.

Ballentine played in four games for the Lions in 2021.

Elevated: Kiondre Thomas

The Packers have only four corners on their 53-man roster. With Alexander and Valentine questionable, only Rasul Douglas and Keisean Nixon are certain to play. Thus, the elevations of Ballentine and Thomas.

Thomas entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas State in 2021. He spent his entire rookie season on the Chargers’ practice squad and was elevated to the gameday roster in four consecutive games. All 28 career snaps have come on special teams.