The Green Bay Packers filled one of their two open roster spots by signing rookie safety Benny Sapp III from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Saturday.
Sapp, an undrafted rookie out of Northern Iowa, was previously elevated the maximum three times from the practice squad and needed to be signed to play again for the Packers this season. He will provide depth at safety and give Rich Bisaccia another option on special teams over the final two weeks of the 2023 season.
Sapp appeared in regular season games against the Los Angeles Chargers, Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers. He had tackles on special teams against the Chargers and Lions and drew a holding penalty on the opening kickoff against the Panthers last Sunday.
Over three games, Sapp has played 26 snaps on special teams: 18 on kickoff coverage and eight on kickoff return. His 13 special teams snaps last week in Carolina were a career high.
Sapp had a win-sealing interception for the Packers during the preseason finale, helping him earn a spot on the practice squad to open the season. He was the team’s third-highest graded defensive player over three preseason games, per PFF.
Benny Sapp III seals the W for the @Packers with an INT! #SEAvsGB @BennySappIII pic.twitter.com/sJYBgN5QnS
— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2023
Sapp’s first career game on the 53-man roster will come Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings. His father, Benny Sapp II, played 37 career games with the Vikings over the 2008, 2009 and 2011 seasons. While with the Kansas City Chiefs, Sapp II intercepted Packers quarterback Brett Favre during a loss to Green Bay during the 2007 season.
Considering the Packers had 10 players with designations on the final injury report, Sapp has a terrific chance of being on the active 46-man roster against the Vikings.
Before signing Sapp, the Packers had two roster spots available — one from suspending Jaire Alexander for a game, and one from placing Eric Stokes on injured reserve. The team still has one open spot, which may go to Alexander when he returns from suspension next week.
