Former Lions DB released by NFC North rival as NFL roster deadline nears
Ex-Detroit Lions defensive back Corey Ballentine has been released by the Green Bay Packers just ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. NFL roster deadline.
NFL teams are bringing their roster down to 53 players and Ballentine, 29, won’t make the cut in his second stint with the Packers, according to multiple reports.
Originally a sixth round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, Ballentine has jumped around a lot, possibly searching for his eighth team since joining the league.
After being waived by the Giants in 2020, claimed by the New York Jets and released in September 2021, Ballentine found his way to Detroit.
He appeared in four games for the Lions, contributing on special teams, before being placed on injured reserve.
Ballentine played 48 total snaps and returned four kicks for 94 yards.
A November activation was followed by getting waived and signed onto the Lions’ practice squad for the rest of the season.
Ballentine would have later stints with the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals before getting his next major roles with the Packers from 2022-2024.
In three seasons with Green Bay, Ballentine played in 37 games, making seven starts and accumulating 54 total tackles in regular-season play.
He also competed in three playoff games for the Packers.
After signing with the Indianapolis Colts in the 2025 offseason, on a one-year, $1.337 million deal that included $482,500 guaranteed, Ballentine was released after just one week of training camp and returned to the Packers to try and earn a spot.
Ballentine could be a possible practice squad member for the Packers, given the familiarity and seeing decent usage across three preseason games.
