Innis Gaines, Corey Ballentine Have Work To Make Packers’ Roster

The Green Bay Packers are using the last few days of training camp as final evaluations for players when it comes to their chances of making the 53-man roster. The final preseason game on Saturday will be an opportunity to not only showcase their skills for the Packers but for other teams around the league.

There are only so many roster spots available in Green Bay. But, if you can put some good performance on tape, another team will look to add you to their roster. That is the situation that defensive backs Corey Ballentine and Innis Gaines currently find themselves in.

Both players missed at least a week of practice because of injuries; Gaines hurt his quad during practice leading up to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals, while Ballentine suffered a stinger in the game. Prior to those injuries, both were emerging as important pieces of the Packers’ defense.

Gaines, who is still listed as a safety, was returning to his roots from his college days and had been playing slot cornerback. He was No. 2 on the first unofficial depth chart behind Keisean Nixon. His chances of making the team are pretty good if he can stay healthy given the dearth of slot options on the roster and the shaky standing of the safeties.

“For his size especially, he’s got all the movement skills, everything you look for,” said head coach Matt LaFleur on Wednesday of Gaines. “He’s a physical player, and I think he’s done a nice job. We just got to try to keep him out there. Keep him healthy.”

Ballentine has been running with the second-team defense throughout training camp. With Eric Stokes on the PUP list, there have been plenty of snaps available for players to snatch up. The fifth cornerback slot, should the Packers utilize one, looks to be Ballentine’s.

Both Gaines and Ballentine are also excellent special teams contributors. The Packers’ coaching staff has preached that players who aren’t starters need to make an impact in other ways, such as special teams, to have a chance at making the roster.

This will be something to keep an eye on in the final preseason game Saturday afternoon against the Seattle Seahawks. How playing time is distributed for Gaines and Ballentine could give a look into their roster standing.