Packers place safety Darnell Savage, cornerback Eric Stokes on injured reserve, sign cornerback Robert Rochell to the 53-man roster

GREEN BAY − With safety Darnell Savage and Eric Stokes heading toward injured reserve, the Green Bay Packers signed a cornerback and elevated another from their practice squad to bolster their secondary.

The Packers signed cornerback Robert Rochell to their 53-man roster Wednesday, plucking him off the Carolina Panthers practice squad. Rochell, a 2021 fourth-round draft pick out of Central Arkansas, played 28 games with five starts over the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, but was confined to the Panthers practice squad this season. All five of his starts came as a rookie, when he had four defended passes and 14 tackles.

Rochell said he was hopeful that the Panthers would sign him to the 53-man roster, but when the Packers called wanting to sign him right away, he didn’t hesitate.

“They were telling me when I was over there that I’d be playing soon,” Rochell said. “Since I was over there, I was working toward playing. I didn’t expect this call at all. But I’m thankful for the call and happy to be here with these guys. We’re here to play football.”

Savage reinjured his calf in Sunday's loss against the Denver Broncos. He initially injured his calf two weeks earlier against the Las Vegas Raiders, but returned after a bye week to play 30 snaps in Denver before leaving the game. He will miss a minimum of four games.

Rochell said the transition to defensive coordinator Joe Barry’s system won’t be difficult because Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero runs a similar system. Barry and Evero were assistant coaches together with the Los Angeles Rams when Brandon Staley was the defensive coordinator.

At 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Rochell ran the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds and had a 43-inch vertical jump at the combine in 2021. He was considered a raw prospect coming out of a small college and the Rams gave him only a short chance to prove himself.

He played 234 snaps on defense and 39 on special teams as a rookie, and 28 on defense and 325 on special teams in his second year with the Rams. Rochell did not make the team after training camp this year and signed with Seattle’s practice squad Sept. 1.

The Seahawks released him Sept. 19 and he joined the Panthers the next day.

Rochell said that he and Stokes worked out together in Atlanta and so he has some connections with the team. When asked about what he could offer the Packers, he said he was ready to plug in wherever they needed him, including special teams, where he was a full-time player for the Rams.

“Hard worker,” Rochell said. “It really doesn’t matter, whatever role they have assigned for me or whatever situation they say they need me in, I’ll be ready to go, from defense to special teams. Even offense.”

The Packers also signed cornerback Zyon Gilbert to their practice squad. Gilbert will take the place of cornerback Corey Ballentine, who they elevated to the active roster to replace Stokes.

Ballentine has been elevated to the gameday roster twice this season, playing 30 snaps against New Orleans and 50 snaps against Detroit. His only long completion came late in the Lions game when receiver Chris Olave beat him for a 28-yard gain with a one-handed grab along the sideline.

Otherwise, he played pretty well in his two appearances.

The coaches decided to go with rookie Carrington Valentine when starter Jaire Alexander's back tightened up and he wasn't able to play. Valentine struggled, particularly against the bigger Cortland Sutton, and the Packers may give Ballentine the call if Alexander can't play.

Injury report:Christian Watson is among hobbled Packers who practiced Wednesday, but Luke Musgrave, Darnell Savage and Eric Stokes did not

The Packers have not added a safety to replace Savage. Veteran Jonathan Owens, rookie Anthony Johnson Jr., and practice squad member Innis Gaines all have played safety at some point this season. Owens is likely to start in place of Savage against Minnesota on Sunday.

Gilbert, undrafted last season, spent his rookie year with the New York Giants. He played three games last season and spent the offseason with the Giants, but he was released at the end of training camp.