Innis Gaines

Gaines was born on August 29, 1998, in Beaumont, Texas. He attended West Brook High School in Beaumont, recording 124 tackles, five interceptions, and two fumble recoveries as a senior. He was a four-star safety according to 247Sports.com and was ranked as the number four safety in the state of Texas. He committed to TCU over offers from Texas A&M and Arkansas.[1]

As a freshman in 2016, he appeared in ten games and made two tackles. As a sophomore, Gaines appeared in all 14 games, making two starts. He finished the year with 37 tackles, 6-for-loss, and 2 quarterback sacks. As a junior, Gaines started the first six games of the year before going out with an injury. He totaled 31 tackles in the year. Following the 2018 season, he was named second-team all-Big 12 Conference by Pro Football Focus. As a senior, he started the first eight games before again being sidelined due to injury. He made a total of 34 tackles in the year, placing seventh on the team.[1]

Gaines went unselected in the 2020 NFL Draft, and only received one tryout due to COVID-19 restrictions. While a free agent, he worked for DoorDash.[2] The Green Bay Packers, who held the tryout, gave him a futures contract on January 8, 2021.[2] Gaines was released at the final roster cuts in August 2021 but re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[3] He was activated from the practice squad to the active roster for their game against the Cleveland Browns, and made his NFL debut in the 24–22 win, making one tackle.[4][5] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Packers.[6]