Short on Cornerbacks, Packers Sign Zyon Gilbert to Practice Squad

With Eric Stokes and Jaire Alexander banged up, the Packers need some depth at cornerback, and have signed former New York Giants player Zyon Gilbert to the practice squad.

One of the strengths of the Green Bay Packers' defense was supposed to be the talent and depth in their cornerback room. 

They had four players for three spots once Eric Stokes returned from an injury that sidelined him for most of the 2022 season. 

As is usually the case for the NFL, those problems tend to solve themselves. 

Unfortunately for the Packers, that solution has created more questions they're trying to answer.  

With Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes banged up, the Packers are signing cornerback Zyon Gilbert. First reported by Aaron Wilson, a source told Packer Central that Gilbert was being added to the practice squad.

#Packers sign Zyon Gilbert per his agent @EvanTheAgent @KPRC2

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 25, 2023

According to a source, Gilbert had an excellent workout for the Packers last week but went unsigned as they activated Stokes from the PUP list. 

Stokes' return, however, was short-lived as he suffered a hamstring injury while covering a punt that ended his debut after four snaps. His status moving forward is in question. 

Prior to Stokes' injury, Alexander looked like he was past back issues that kept him sidelined for late-September matchups against New Orleans and Detroit. 

Alexander was removed from the injury report completely last Wednesday before re-emerging on Thursday. 

Back injuries are usually tricky, and Alexander's appears to be no exception. He missed Sunday's game, his third of the season, and that will likely be something to monitor for at least the next few weeks.

When the Packers have been short on cornerback depth, they've promoted Corey Ballentine from the practice squad. Ballentine is out of gameday elevations and would need to be signed to the 53-man roster in order to play on Sunday against Minnesota.

Gilbert came from Florida Atlantic and finished as the school's all-time leader in games played with 57. He tallied five interceptions with 31 passes defensed. 

"He's going to be playing for a long time, I think, at the next level," then-Owls coach Lane Kiffin said when Gilbert was a freshman. "I know that's early to say after four games, but usually, you can tell."

He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent who spent some time with the New York Giants both last year and through this preseason. He had 14 tackles and a sack in 2022. 

His performance this year might have won a roster spot had he not suffered a hamstring injury. 

With the unfortunate timing of the injury, Gilbert was waived with an injury settlement and had been waiting for an opportunity while his hamstring healed. 

Now, he's one injury away from potentially earning another opportunity in what has become a paper-thin cornerback group. 

In addition to Gilbert being added to the practice squad, it appears the Packers have added another along with him. 

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