The Packers have finally placed cornerback Jaire Alexander on injured reserve. That gives the team roster flexibility ahead of the regular season finale and playoffs.

But they will keep the roster spot open for now. Right after placing Jaire on IR, they have just elevated safety Omar Brown and linebacker Michael Barrett from the practice squad for gameday.

Omar Brown

For the third consecutive time, the Green Bay Packers have elevated rookie Omar Brown for gameday — this one, to play the regular season finale against the Chicago Bears. Two weeks ago, he played eight snaps on defense and six on special teams against the New Orleans Saints in his regular season debut. Against the Vikings, he was elevated but ended up being active with Javon Bullard’s availability.

Omar Brown played college football at Northern Iowa (2019-2021) and Nebraska (2022-2023). Undrafted, he was signed by the Denver Broncos and spent his rookie training camp there. After the final roster cuts, he signed with the Packers’ practice squad in late August. Brown had had a pre-draft visit in Green Bay.

“I played wide receiver in high school. I’m very comfortable catching the ball,” Brown told The Draft Network. “I love playing the ball in the air. When it’s in my vicinity, I’m coming down with it. That’s the type of player I am.”

He is the only safety on the Packers’ practice squad.

Even though this is his third elevation, that won’t preclude the team from elevating him again for playoff games.

Michael Barrett

Barrett is a rookie from Michigan — where he won a national championship and was named to the All-Big Ten team in 2022 and 2023. He was a seventh-round pick by the Carolina Panthers this year, but ended up being traded to the Seattle Seahawks in August.

He started the regular season on the Seahawks’ practice squad, and also spent some time on the Cleveland Browns’ PS. He was signed by the Packers on November 30, and this is his first elevation.

Practice squad elevations this season:

• FB Andrew Beck (3)
• CB Robert Rochell (3)
• S Omar Brown (3)
• QB Sean Clifford (2)
• CB Kamal Hadden (2)
• RB Ellis Merriweather (1)
• CB Kalen King (1)
• LB Michael Barrett