Packers Work Out Five Players for Practice Squad
Green Bay tried out a group of edge rushers on Monday as it looks to fill two open practice squad spots.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Football
The Green Bay Packers worked out a group of edge rushers on Monday. The Packers have two available roster spots on their practice squad and have worked out 43 players since the cutdown deadline.
Why it matters
Only one of the 43 players worked out since the cutdown deadline is an edge rusher, Cruz Smith, which signals the team's focus on pass rush depth. Practice squad additions can provide injury insurance and developmental talent heading into the rest of the season.
The Packers' workouts centered on edge rushers, with the team holding two open practice squad spots. Of the 43 players tried out since the cutdown deadline, only Cruz Smith was an edge rusher, and no signings from Monday's group were announced.
The players
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an NFL franchise based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and one of the league's most storied teams.
Vincent Anthony
Vincent Anthony is an undrafted rookie edge rusher from Duke whom the Kansas City Chiefs guaranteed $267,500 as an undrafted free agent.
D.J. Johnson
D.J. Johnson is a former 2023 third-round draft pick who has appeared in 31 NFL games with 677 career defensive snaps.
The details
The Packers worked out a group of edge rushers on Monday, including undrafted Duke rookie Vincent Anthony, who was signed to the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad after the cutdown deadline. The group also included D.J. Johnson, a 2023 third-round pick with 31 NFL games played and five starts, all with the Carolina Panthers.
Timeline
Monday: Packers worked out a group of edge rushers.
Season Trajectory
Late-season practice squad moves are a standard way for NFL teams to add depth at high-need positions as injuries mount. The Packers' focus on edge rushers reflects the same post-cutdown pattern teams follow to fill pass-rush gaps.
The two open practice squad spots mean the Packers could add an edge rusher within days, which would affect Green Bay fantasy and depth-chart watchers. Any signing would come from the group of 43 players already tried out since the cutdown deadline.
The takeaway
Practice squad spots are a quiet lever in the NFL season, and the Packers' edge rusher search shows how teams manage depth after the roster freeze. Watch the practice squad transactions to see which workout performers earn a roster spot.
Further reading
For more on the team's roster moves, see Football coverage for Green Bay.
