The Green Bay Packers upgraded safety Omar Brown from the practice squad to the gameday squad in Week 17. The move was announced Saturday, making Brown available to Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday’s clash with the Minnesota Vikings.
Brown’s levels rise for the second week in a row. The move comes in response to the Packers’ injury crisis at free safety, with rookie Evan Williams sidelined with a hamstring injury and rookie Javon Bullard doubtful to play with an ankle injury that has cost him the last two games.
Brown will highlight the story of Xavier McKinney and Zayne Anderson, who started together at a unthreatening distance last week. If Bullard returns, the Packers will have McKinney, Bullard, Anderson, Brown and rookie Kitan Oladapo as available safety options against the Vikings.
The Packers originally signed Brown to the practice squad on August 29. He made his NFL debut last week against the New Orleans Saints, playing eight snaps on defense and six more on special teams in a 34-0 victory.
Brown, who made a pre-draft visit to Green Bay, first signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent. He played in 52 games in his college career and was named an All-Big Ten selection for Nebraska in 2023.
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 only has one upgrade left. 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 third time in the last three weeks that the Packers have tightened up their defense.
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
