On Saturday, the Green Bay Packers signed defensive back Innis Gaines from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. On Sunday, Gaines made an open-field tackle on special teams against the Pittsburgh Steelers. On Monday, the Packers released Gaines.
Such is life for a fringe roster player like Gaines in the NFL. Former Packers running back Patrick Taylor went through a similar situation earlier this season, and now Taylor is in New England.
Gaines, who was elevated three times from the practice squad before being signed Saturday to fill the 53-man roster, played 12 snaps on special teams during the Packers’ 23-19 loss to the Steelers.
Over four games in 2023, Gaines has played 59 snaps on special teams and has two tackles, one assisted tackle and one penalty.
It appears Gaines will be released to make way for a new defensive back. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Packers claimed Kyu Blu Kelly off of waivers from the Seattle Seahawks on Monday. Claiming Kelly required opening a roster spot, hence the move on Gaines.
Kelly was a fifth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2023 draft. He was claimed off waivers by the Seahawks after final cuts in August and spent the first two months or so on Seattle’s roster, playing 38 snaps on special teams over five games.
Gaines is out of practice squad elevations in Green Bay, so he could move on and look for a new home in the NFL.
