In need of help at cornerback, the Green Bay Packers will sign Corey Ballentine from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Wednesday, per Bill Huber of SI.com.
The move is required to both bolster the depth at a position dealing with injuries and to have Ballentine available after he used up his three practice squad elevations.
Jaire Alexander has missed three of the last four games with a lingering back injury, while Eric Stokes — who came off the PUP list last Saturday — was injured on his fourth snap while covering a punt against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. The only other cornerbacks on the roster are Rasul Douglas, Keisean Nixon and rookie Carrington Valentine.
Ballentine was elevated from the practice squad for games against the New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions and Las Vegas Raiders. He played 80 snaps on defense and 48 on special teams. Players are allowed to be elevated from the practice squad three times in a season.
Last season, Ballentine was active for the final eight games and played 106 snaps on special teams. He was on the field for at least 10 special teams snaps in all eight games. Ballentine produced four tackles but also missed three tackles, per PFF.
This season, Ballentine has allowed four catches for 50 yards on six targets into his coverage and 41 total coverage snaps. He also broke up a pass. On special teams, Ballentine has one tackle and one missed tackle.
The Packers will make a corresponding transaction to fit Ballentine on the 53-man roster. Safety Darnell Savage going to injured reserve to recover from a calf injury could be the move.
