What Saturday’s Packers Transactions Mean for Week 7 at Broncos

As is the case for every Saturday before a Sunday game, the Green Bay Packers made some roster moves before their game at the Denver Broncos.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – As first reported by Packer Central, the Green Bay Packers have activated cornerback Eric Stokes from the physically unable to perform list for Sunday’s game at the Denver Broncos.

Here’s the weekly breakdown of all the transactions that were made … and those that were not made.

Activated: CB Eric Stokes

The Packers could have waited a few more days to activate Stokes from the physically unable to perform list but chose to make the move on Saturday.

Stokes, with one obvious exception of the November game against Justin Jefferson and the Vikings, had a brilliant rookie season. According to Sports Info Solutions, Stokes allowed a 46.2 percent catch rate and 5.3 yards per target. Had he not dropped four interceptions, he might have earned a spot on the All-Rookie Team.

In 2022, Stokes allowed a 73.9 percent catch rate, 10.8 yards per target – third-worst in the league among corners with at least nine starts – and didn’t get his hands on a single pass.

Some #Packers injury news …https://t.co/DAqTwFT6dk

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) October 21, 2023

The Packers are in the challenging spot of having three quality starters with Jaire Alexander and Rasul Douglas at corner and Keisean Nixon in the slot. Stokes as a talented first-round pick can’t waste away on the bench. He needs opportunities to play and grow and develop.

With Alexander questionable with a back injury, it will be interesting to see if Stokes gets any run on defense this week. In the longer term, it will be interesting to see how the Packers get Stokes on the field when everyone is healthy.

Released: OLB Justin Hollins

Before the game at the Las Vegas Raiders two weeks ago, the Packers released veteran outside linebacker Justin Hollins to make room for the promotion of running back Patrick Taylor from the practice squad.

A day after that game, the Packers released Taylor and re-signed Hollins.

Justin Hollins was in on nine tackles in four games for the Packers :: Photo by Dale Zanine/USA Today Sports Images

That certainly could be the case again, especially if a roster spot opens up due to someone else’s misfortune. At the same time, with Rashan Gary ready for more snaps and the need to get first-round pick Lukas Van Ness and second-year player Kingsley Enagbare more action, it’s possible Hollins’ time in Green Bay really is over this time.

Of 118 edge defenders with at least 40 pass-rushing snaps, Hollins ranks 112th in PFF’s pass-rushing productivity, which measures sacks (zero), hits (zero) and pressures (one) per pass-rushing opportunity. Gary is second, Van Ness is 83rd, Preston Smith is 94th and Enagbare is 102nd.

Not Elevated: CB Corey Ballentine

With Alexander questionable with a recurring back injury, the Packers could have made a call to the bullpen for cornerback Corey Ballentine for a fourth consecutive game. Instead, even with Alexander potentially a gameday decision based on how he feels after the flight to Denver, the Packers opted to go with Stokes as the next man up.

Why it makes sense: Ballentine is out of elevations so would have to be added to the 53-man roster.

Why it doesn’t make sense: If Alexander is inactive, all the Packers have at corner are Douglas, Nixon, rookie Carrington Valentine – who was benched in favor of Ballentine against Detroit in Week 4 – and Stokes, who hasn’t played in almost a year.

Not Elevated: RB James Robinson

This one isn’t a surprise, though it would seem to signal Aaron Jones is healthy and will be ready to roll vs. Denver. Otherwise, the Packers would have a two-man backfield of AJ Dillon and undrafted rookie Emanuel Wilson.

For four games, the Packers pulled Taylor off the practice squad as the next man up at running back rather than go with Wilson.

An All-Rookie performer in 2020, James Robinson took Taylor’s role as the veteran runner on the practice squad. However, with just three practices under his belt, the Packers are opting to go with Wilson behind Jones and Dillon.

“There’s a learning curve for every young player in this league, and you’ve just got to prove it through practice,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “He’s a talented guy, no question about it, but it’s just that trust that he can go out there no matter what the defense gives us that he’s going to be able to go out there and execute. Because it’s not just running the football. It’s protections, it’s all that. I think he’s progressing nicely, and we’ll give him more opportunities throughout practice in order for him to go out there and do it in the game.”

By the way, Wilson spent a few days with the Broncos after the draft before his release. He did not enjoy his time.

More Green Bay Packers News

Even with 128 percent of the roster on the injury report, there are plenty of reasons why the #Packers will beat the Broncos.

Here are three of them. ⬇️https://t.co/xDSyfAM4p3

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) October 21, 2023

For a team to win, its high-priced players must perform like, well, high-priced players.

From a financial perspective, just look at the #Packers' salary cap and who might not/will not play vs. Denver. ⤵️⤵️https://t.co/QFw0TsMCMr

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) October 21, 2023

At outside linebacker, the return of Rashan Gary was supposed to lead to a march to the quarterback for the #Packers.

Instead, Gary's been an Army of One. ⬇️https://t.co/018ZFvRBBb

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) October 21, 2023