New NFL rules for the 2020 season allow teams to elevate up to two players from the practice squad each week, creating a 55-player gameday roster. The Green Bay Packers are taking advantage of the new rule in Week 1.
The team not only signed linebacker Krys Barnes to the active 53-man roster, but also elevated outside linebacker Tipa Galeai and tight end John Lovett from the practice squad on Saturday.
Barnes will remain on the roster. Galeai and Lovett will both revert back to the practice squad following Week 1.
Galeai, an undrafted free agent from Utah State, could provide depth at edge rusher, where the Packers will be without second-year outside linebacker Randy Ramsey, who is out for Sunday. Lovett has the versatility to play multiple positions and special teams, possibly giving himself a chance to be active on Sunday.
Teams are allowed to have 48 active players on gamedays, just as long as eight offensive linemen are active.
Individual players can only be elevated from the practice squad to the active roster twice during a season, so the Packers will have only one more opportunity to elevate Galeai or Lovett this season.
