Packers promote TE Dominique Dafney to active roster, elevate Winfree & Braden

With one day left before their week 14 game against the Detroit Lions, the Green Bay Packers are calling up some reserves from the practice squad to bolster the active roster for gameday.

The first call-up is earning a full promotion to the 53-man roster. Tight end Dominique Dafney is getting that call, getting a full spot on the 53. Dafney, who typically mans an H-back position on offense, is the likely replacement for Jace Sternberger, who will be out on Sunday with a concussion. Dafney will also likely contribute on special teams.

An undrafted rookie, Dafney was a wide receiver during his college career at Indiana State. The team’s starting tight end, Robert Tonyan, also played that position for that program prior to his NFL career. Dafney spent the end of training camp with the Indianapolis Colts this summer, but the Colts released him at final cuts and he finally landed on the Packers’ practice squad in early October. He has played one game so far, getting a gameday elevation for last week’s victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dafney is the second practice squad player to get promoted to the 53 this week, joining safety Henry Black.

Joining Dafney on the active roster for gameday are two practice squad elevations. Wide receiver Juwann Winfree and guard Ben Braden will be eligible to play on Sunday. If Braden plays, it will be his third game this season; however, he is eligible for elevation because his first game this year came as a member of the active 53-man roster. Winfree was active for one game previously this season, the team’s week 10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he played in three contests last year for the Denver Broncos.

Finally, the Packers signed tight end Isaac Nauta to the practice squad on Saturday as well. Nauta was a 7th-round draft pick by the Lions in 2019 and played 13 games over the past two seasons.