The Green Bay Packers have activated CB Jaire Alexander (ji-air) off injured reserve, elevated T/G Cole Van Lanen from the practice squad to the active roster as a COVID-19 replacement, placed S Henry Black, P Corey Bojorquez (buh-HOR-kez), TE Tyler Davis and DL Kingsley Keke (kee-kee) on the reserve/COVID-19 list, signed LB Aaron Adeoye (uh-DAY-oh-yay), T Adrian Ealy, CB Jayson Stanley and RB Kerrith Whyte to the practice squad and placed Stanley on the practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list. General Manager Brian Gutekunst announced the transactions Wednesday.
Adeoye, a 6-6, 260-pound, first-year player out of Southeast Missouri State, spent a few weeks on the Packers’ practice squad earlier this season. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Ravens in 2019. Adeoye spent his first two seasons mostly on the Ravens’ practice squad, but did appear in one game in 2020. He was waived during training camp in 2021 by Baltimore and spent part of the rest of camp with the New York Jets. In 2018, Adeoye played in the Alliance of American Football league and The Spring League and in 2017, suited up for the Salina Liberty of the Champions Indoor Football league. He played college basketball for four years, beginning at Ball State, where he earned Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team honors and appeared in 30 games (2011-12). Adeoye then played basketball for John A. Logan College (Ill.) and Western Kentucky before going to Southeast Missouri State, where he used his fifth year of collegiate eligibility in 2015 to try out for the Southeast Missouri State football team and played in four games. He will wear No. 35 for the Packers.
Ealy, a 6-4, 321-pound, rookie out of the University of Oklahoma, was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Ravens in May. He has spent time on the practice squad of the Ravens, Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams this season. Ealy played in 28 games (23 starts) at Oklahoma, taking most of his reps at right tackle during his four-year career (2017-20). As a senior in 2020, he started all 11 games (10 at LT and one at RT) and was named a second-team All-Big 12 selection by the league’s coaches and media. Ealy started all 12 games at RT as a junior in 2019, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors by the league’s coaches. He will wear No. 72 for the Packers.
Stanley, a 6-2, 209-pound, second-year player out of the University of Georgia, was originally signed by Atlanta Falcons in May 2019 as a rookie free agent. In 2019, he spent time on the practice squads of the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars. He was claimed off of waivers by the Seattle Seahawks in April 2020 and went on to play in eight games that season. Stanley saw action in 37 games with eight starts at Georgia. As a wide receiver for the Bulldogs, he recorded three receptions for 32 yards (10.7 avg.) and a touchdown while adding four carries for 81 yards (20.3 avg.). Stanley also added five tackles on defense. He will wear No. 37 for the Packers.
Whyte, a 5-10, 204-pound, second-year player out of Florida Atlantic University, was on the Packers’ practice squad back in November. He was originally selected by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round (No. 222 overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. As a rookie, Whyte was signed off the Bears’ practice squad by the Pittsburgh Steelers and went on to appear in six games in 2019, rushing 24 times for 122 yards (5.1 avg.) and catching a pass for 9 yards. After being released by the Steelers following the 2020 training camp, he went on to spend time last season on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad and then was with the Buffalo Bills during the 2021 training camp and had a stint on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad earlier this season. Whyte will wear No. 34 for the Packers.
Per agreed-upon NFL-NFLPA policy, clubs are not permitted to comment on a player’s medical status other than referring to roster status. Being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list is for a player who either tests positive for COVID-19 or who has been in close contact with an infected person or persons.