Packers elevate Henry Black to active roster for Vikings game, Mason Crosby ready to go

Last Sunday, the Green Bay Packers got a big play from an unexpected source. With safety Darnell Savage out for their game against the Houston Texans, the Packers elevated undrafted rookie Henry Black from the practice squad for gameday, and he delivered a game-sealing play in his NFL debut.

Although he played just six snaps on defense, Black was on the field late in the game after the Texans recovered an onside kick with the Packers leading 35-20. He put his helmet squarely on the football while making a tackle on Texans running back David Johnson, sending the ball skyward and forcing just the fourth turnover of the season for the Packers’ defense.

This week, Black is getting another shot. The Packers tabbed him as a practice squad elevation once again for their week eight game against the Minnesota Vikings, electing to bring only him up from that unit for this week’s game. Every practice squad player that the Packers have elevated this season has been active on game day, so it stands to reason that Black will indeed play on Sunday.

Saturday’s transaction report also included the previously-reported signing of wide receiver Seth Roberts to the practice squad.

Absent from the transaction wire was any mention of a kicker, however. With Mason Crosby’s return to practice on Friday, this indicates that he will be available to kick on Sunday for the game, with punter JK Scott serving as an emergency option. Crosby has never missed a game in his NFL career, playing in 214 straight contests since the Packers selected him in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft, and it appears that his streak will continue this weekend.