For the second straight day, Green Bay Packers receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf) has not been participating in practice after dropping out of back-to-back games over the last two weeks. Based on head coach
Matt LaFleur’s pre-practice press conference, Wicks’ lack of availability on Thursday was to be expected, which doesn’t sound great for his chances to play on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
To say the least, the Packers’ receiver unit has had to adapt on the fly this year.
To start the year, Christian Watson, who tore his ACL at the end of last season, has been on the physically unable to perform list. In Week 2, Jayden Reed, already pushing through a foot injury, broke his collarbone.
The Packers adjusted to these injuries by playing Romeo Doubs and Wicks as their primary outside receivers with rookie first-round pick Matthew Golden taking over as the team’s slot receiver. If Green Bay is down Wicks, though, the Packers would likely tap Malik Heath as their next outside receiver up and have virtually no depth behind him.
For perspective, third-round rookie receiver Savion Williams, the only other receiver on the Packers’ 53-man roster that we have yet to mention so far, has only played 10 total outside receiver snaps in six games this year.
While there’s some optimism that Watson will be activated off the PUP list to play against the Steelers, LaFleur pumped the brakes on Thursday and said, “That’s a great mindset to have,” with a smile on his face. He added, “That’s going to be a medical decision.”
Remember, kicker Brandon McManus told the press on October 9th that he was going to play in Week 6. Two weeks later, McManus still hasn’t suited up for the team. So just because Watson said that he plans to play against Pittsburgh doesn’t mean that it will actually happen.
If Wicks and Watson are both out for the Steelers game, don’t be surprised if the Packers make the decision to call up one of their practice squad receivers, be it Isaiah Neyor, Will Sheppard or Jakobie Keeney-James, for action. All of these players are undrafted rookies who have yet to play in an NFL regular-season game, so it’s anyone’s guess as to who is next up in the pecking order.
