The Green Bay Packers elevated linebacker Kamal Hadden from the practice squad to the Week 9 gameday squad. The move was announced Saturday, making Hadden available to Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday’s clash with the Detroit Lions.
The Packers will likely need assist at cornerback, with Jaire Alexander (knee) and Corey Ballentine (ankle) unable to play well. Alexander didn’t practice all week and Ballentine didn’t play last week. Hadden’s promotion may mean Alexander won’t be ready to play against the Lions.
It’s also worth noting that the Packers did not promote quarterback Sean Clifford, another sign that starter Jordan Love will be ready for Sunday.
Veteran Robert Rochell no longer has a promotion on the practice squad, forcing the Packers to bring in Hadden, a rookie from Tennessee.
This is Hadden’s second ascent. He played three times on special teams after being elevated to the gameday squad in Week 4.
Hadden was selected in the sixth round of the 2024 draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He was released by the Chiefs in the closing stages and signed with the Packers’ practice squad on August 30.
Each team may designate a maximum of two players from the practice squad each week. An individual player can only be promoted from the practice squad three times per season, so Hadden had one pick up left. Hadden will return to the practice squad on Monday.
The Packers have promoted at least one player in each of the first nine weeks of 2024.
Increases by week
Week 1: RB Ellis Merriweather
Week 2: QB Sean Clifford
Week 3: QB Sean Clifford, CB Robert Rochell
Week 4: CB Robert Rochell, CB Kamal Hadden
Week 5: FB Andrew Beck
Week 6: FB Andrew Beck
Week 7: FB Andrew Beck
Week 8: CB Robert Rochell
Week 9: CB Kamal Hadden
