Packers Week 16 Snap Counts: Matthew Golden remains WR5

If you’re anything like me, the sting from the Green Bay Packers’ overtime loss to the Chicago Bears hasn’t left at all. The team got no touchdowns in the red zone in five tries. They blew a double-digit

lead in the fourth quarter. They scored just 16 points when they had 384 offensive yards and didn’t punt once. It’s hard to wrap one’s mind around the loss.

But we must go on. If it helps you get your brain focusing on something else for a second, here are the Packers’ snap counts from the game. Let’s talk a little depth chart, before going back into the post-mortem.

Quarterback

• 46: Malik Willis
• 24: Jordan Love

Jordan Love left the game in the second quarter with a concussion, which could impact his availability going into next week’s matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. Malik Willis came in and threw 9 completions on 11 attempts for 121 yards (11 yards per pass) and a touchdown for a passer rating of 142.8.

Running Back

• 32: Emanuel Wilson
• 27: Josh Jacobs (1 SPT)
• 15: Chris Brooks (11 SPT)

After the game, head coach Matt LaFleur couldn’t explain why Josh Jacobs didn’t return to the field after his fumble, as he stated he was never told that Jacobs was dealing with a new setback with his knee injury. Either way, Jacobs turned 12 carries into 36 yards today, while Emanuel Wilson carried the ball 14 times for 81 yards against the Bears. Blocking back Chris Brooks ran the ball once for four yards.

Receiver

• 45: Jayden Reed (1 SPT)
• 43: Christian Watson (1 SPT)
• 43: Romeo Doubs (4 SPT)
• 30: Dontayvion Wicks
• 22: Matthew Golden
• 3: Savion Williams (5 SPT)
• 1: CB Bo Melton (9 SPT)

If you’re doing the math here, yes, Dontayvion Wicks and Matthew Golden were both on the sideline for the Packers’ onside kick recovery attempt. For the most part, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs play outside receiver with Jayden Reed being limited to the slot. Wicks and Golden both backfill snaps when that trio is tired.

Savion Williams was only on the field three times, but was given the ball twice in this game. As we’ve covered throughout the year, Williams’ rate of actually getting the ball when he’s on the field is comparable to an All-Pro receiver. The Packers love force-feeding him.

The only play that cornerback Bo Melton played on offense this week was on the fourth and one where Malik Willis was supposed to fake Melton a jet sweep, but Willis mishandled the ball and turned the ball over on downs.

Tight End

• 54: Luke Musgrave (1 SPT)
• 26: John FitzPatrick (2 SPT)

Surprisingly, the Packers only went into this game with two tight ends. Unfortunately, it appears that John FitzPatrick ruptured his Achilles tendon. In all likelihood, Green Bay will need to add a tight end to the 53-man roster, even if Josh Whyle comes back from his concussion this week.

Offensive Line

• 70: Rasheed Walker (4 SPT)
• 70: Aaron Banks (4 SPT)
• 70: Sean Rhyan (4 SPT)
• 70: Anthony Belton (4 SPT)
• 70: Jordan Morgan (4 SPT)
• 9: Darian Kinnard (4 SPT)
• 0: Jacob Monk (4 SPT)
• 0: Donovan Jennings

In a somewhat surprising move, Jordan Morgan got the start at right tackle over Darian Kinnard with Zach Tom out with a knee injury. This freed up Kinnard, who subbed in for Tom last week, to continue to play the tight end role, where he played nine snaps throughout the game.

Defensive End

• 41: Kingsley Enagbare (4 SPT)
• 34: Rashan Gary
• 23: Lukas Van Ness
• 17: Brenton Cox Jr. (6 SPT)
• 8: Barryn Sorrell (5 SPT)
• 0: Arron Mosby (16 SPT)

This is your first look at the post-Micah Parsons edge rusher rotation. Kingsley Enagbare played 21% more snaps than Rashan Gary on Saturday, followed by Lukas Van Ness, Brenton Cox Jr. and Barryn Sorrell. If Cox is ahead of Sorrell in the rotation already, expect that trend to continue.

The only question mark is whether Van Ness will leap Enagbare whenever his foot fully heals, if it even does this season.

Defensive Tackle

• 46: Karl Brooks (11 SPT)
• 28: Colby Wooden (7 SPT)
• 23: Jordon Riley (4 SPT)
• 20: Warren Brinson (4 SPT)

Karl Brooks played 57 total snaps on Saturday. He is by far the best-conditioned Packers defensive lineman after Parsons. Interestingly, Jordon Riley jumped Warren Brinson in the snap count this week. Riley is on a two-year contract, so expected him to return to the 2026 roster, along with all of the other defensive tackles who have seen game action for Green Bay this year.

Linebacker

• 60: Quay Walker (4 SPT)
• 60: Edgerrin Cooper (9 SPT)
• 25: Isaiah McDuffie (17 SPT)
• 0: Ty’Ron Hopper (13 SPT)
• 0: Kristian Welch (2 SPT)

Nothing surprising here. The only news of note is that Kristian Welch was injured during the game. Keep an eye for him on the injury report this week. If he can’t go, Jamon Johnson will likely be called up from the practice squad against the Ravens.

Cornerback

• 60: Carrington Valentine
• 60: Keisean Nixon (5 SPT)
• 35: Nate Hobbs
• 0: Kamal Hadden (12)

Safety

• 60: Xavier McKinney (10 SPT)
• 60: Javon Bullard (6 SPT)
• 0: Zayne Anderson (14 SPT)
• 0: Kitan Oladapo (13 SPT)

Let’s talk about these together. Nate Hobbs took over as the full-time slot for the first time in his Packers career. Javon Bullard pushed from the slot to safety with Evan Williams out with an MCL sprain. This could change week-to-week, as Zayne Anderson was Williams’ sub in the last game.