The Green Bay Packers have moved quarterback Sean Clifford and cornerback Robert Rochell from the practice squad to the Week 3 roster, an announcement made Saturday that will make Clifford and Rochell available to Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday’s clash with the Tennessee Titans.
Clifford is needed as a backup at quarterback in case Jordan Love (knee) misses out. Rochell is expected to replace cornerback Carrington Valentine, who is questionable after missing all week with an ankle injury and is expected to be inactive Sunday.
The Packers promoted Clifford to backup behind Malik Willis last week. Love, who is still recovering from a sprained medial collateral ligament, has practiced on a confined basis this week and is listed as questionable for the game against the Titans. The Packers have said all week that Love will get a full week to physically prepare for the game, suggesting a real decision on Sunday’s playing time and the need to promote Clifford as a backup on Saturday.
A more despondent take on these moves would be that the Packers know Love won’t play and need Clifford to fill in as a backup on Sunday.
While Eric Stokes is the expected starter opposite Jaire Alexander at cornerback, Rochell will likely receive special teams play and provide depth on the perimeter in case of injury. Stokes and Valentine split plays last week. Corey Ballentine is the expected backup behind Stokes.
All teams can promote a maximum of two players from the practice squad each week. A single player can only be promoted from the practice squad three times per season, so Clifford has just one promotion left. Rochell has two. Clifford and Rochell will return to the practice squad on Monday.
Heights by week
Week 1: RB Ellis Merriweather
Week 2: QB Sean Clifford
Week 3: QB Sean Clifford, CB Robert Rochell
