The Green Bay Packers promoted cornerback Michael Barrett and safety Omar Brown from the practice squad to the Week 18 gameday squad. The move was announced on Saturday, making Barrett and Brown available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears.
Brown’s levels rose for the third week in a row. The Packers will be without backups Evan Williams (quad) and Zayne Anderson (concussion), creating a need for additional depth at the position behind expected starters Xavier McKinney and Javon Bullard. Brown played eight defensive snaps and six special teams snaps in the Packers’ victory over the New Orleans Saints, but was inactive for Minnesota last week.
Barrett, a rookie from Michigan, found his feet for the first time. The Packers will no longer have Quay Walker on Sunday, and it’s possible the team will look to protect Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie or Eric Wilson tardy in the game against the Bears.
The Packers signed Brown to the practice squad in tardy August. Barrett, a seventh-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks, was added to the practice squad in tardy November.
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 Brown is not eligible for promotions. Barrett has two left. Barrett and Brown will return to the practice squad on Monday.
The Packers promoted at least one player in each of the first nine weeks. This is the fourth time in as many weeks that the Packers have promoted at least one player.
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
Week 14: CB Kalen King
Week 16: Sr. Omar Brown
Week 17: Sr. Omar Brown
Week 18: LB Michael Barrett, S Omar Brown
