From Forgotten Rookie to Packers’ Game-Changer: The Defensive Star Who Emerged Out of Nowhere Just in Time for Turkey Day.QQ
In a move that could add a dash of intrigue to the NFL’s storied Thanksgiving slate, the Green Bay Packers have elevated former Auburn standout Jaylin Simpson from their practice squad, making him eligible for his potential NFL debut against the Detroit Lions on Thursday. This “Turkey Day Revelation” comes at a pivotal moment for the Packers’ defense, as they face a fierce NFC North rival in the holiday spotlight.
Simpson, a versatile defensive back whose journey to Lambeau Field has been anything but straightforward, was plucked from relative obscurity on August 18 when Green Bay signed him after a tumultuous offseason with the New York Jets. Originally a fifth-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2024 NFL Draft, Simpson spent time on the Colts’ practice squad before being signed by the Jets on December 11, 2024. He ended that season on New York’s active roster but never saw game action.
The summer of 2025 brought more twists: Waived by the Jets on August 2 with an injury designation due to a hamstring issue, Simpson went unclaimed and reverted to injured reserve on August 3. Just three days later, on August 6, the Jets waived him again with an injury settlement, clearing him from their roster entirely. Enter the Packers, who swooped in mid-August to give the young talent a fresh start. After being waived during the preseason roster cuts, Simpson landed back on Green Bay’s practice squad—until now.
The elevation to active status on Wednesday is no small footnote. With cornerbacks Nate Hobbs and Keisean Nixon listed as questionable on the Packers’ injury report, Simpson’s promotion provides much-needed depth in the secondary. At Auburn, he started as a cornerback before shifting to safety in 2023, and Green Bay lists him simply as a defensive back—a nod to his adaptability that could prove crucial against Detroit’s potent offense.
Under NFL rules, teams can elevate up to two practice-squad players per game, allowing them to suit up before reverting post-contest. This strategic bump positions Simpson as a potential wild card in Green Bay’s defensive scheme, ready to take flight if called upon.
The Packers-Lions clash kicks off the NFL’s Thanksgiving tripleheader at noon CST from Ford Field in Detroit, with FOX set to televise the game. For Simpson, this could be more than just another Thursday—it’s a chance to carve out his place in the league on one of football’s most festive stages.
Unfortunately, the transaction wire wasn’t as kind to another former Auburn defensive back. The Los Angeles Rams placed Roger McCreary on injured reserve on Wednesday after he sustained a groin injury in their 34-7 rout of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Acquired from the Tennessee Titans on October 27 in exchange for a sixth-round pick, McCreary had been a reliable slot corner in his fourth season with Tennessee, logging 306 defensive snaps over eight games. In his brief Rams tenure, he appeared solely on special teams for three games before the injury struck on his first defensive snap for Los Angeles.
Per NFL protocol, McCreary must miss at least four games on IR. With six contests left in the Rams’ regular season, his return timeline remains uncertain, dealing a blow to a defense already navigating mid-season adjustments.
As the Packers gear up for their holiday showdown, Simpson’s elevation serves as a reminder of the NFL’s unpredictable nature—where one player’s revelation can emerge from another’s setback, all under the glow of Thanksgiving lights.
