Packers add cornerback Elijah Culp to practice squad, release guard Josh Gesky
The Green Bay Packers signed rookie cornerback Elijah Culp to the practice squad and released guard Josh Gesky, general manager Brian Gutekunst announced Tuesday. Both transactions occurred at the practice-squad level. The move opened a practice-squad spot for the team.
Culp, listed at 5-foot-10 and 189 pounds, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent when the Arizona Cardinals signed him on May 8, 2026. The Arizona Cardinals released him after training camp. He spent a week this season on the practice squad of the Indianapolis Professional Football Team before joining the Packers. Culp will wear No. 39 for Green Bay.
In college, Culp played at Austin Peay in 2020, Troy in 2021-22, Charlotte in 2023-24 and finished at James Madison in 2025. In his final collegiate season, he earned third-team All-Sun Belt honors. The Packers assigned him No. 39.
The Packers released Gesky from the practice squad to create the roster spot. Gesky was on Green Bay’s practice squad and did not occupy an active-roster role. The move allows the team to add depth at cornerback while keeping flexibility on the practice squad.
NFL Sports Blog Take
This transaction gives Green Bay a low-risk addition at cornerback and an opportunity to evaluate a player with experience at multiple college programs and a brief taste of pro practice squads. Culp’s size and late collegiate recognition suggest developmental upside on the practice squad. Releasing Josh Gesky clears room for that evaluation without immediately affecting the active roster.