Packers keep shuffling roster at key position as injuries refuse to give them a break before the 2025 season

Multiple injuries at wide receiver

The Packers knew Christian Watson would take some time. He's expected to start the regular season on the physically unable to perform list, missing at least the first four games. But during training camp, the offense has had to handle many more problems.

Dontayvion Wicks has had a calf injury for quite some time now. Jayden Reed has a foot injury, which made him appear on a walking boot before the preseason opener against the New York Jets. At Tuesday's practice, Romeo Doubs fell on the ground after trying a catch and left the field with a back issue—it's not clear how severe it is, so the joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday will be significant.

Rookie Savion Williams has also handled multiple issues. Throughout the offseason program, he had to wear a red non-contact jersey. At training camp, some missed practices, and he couldn't be on the field against the Jets last Saturday. Williams returned to practice on Tuesday, but left the activity earlier.

Excluding these injured players and the new additions who are just learning the playbook, the wide receiver room has rookie Matthew Golden, veterans Malik Heath and Mecole Hardman, and practice squad holdovers Cornelius Johnson and Julian Hicks.

"I mean, that's life in the National Football League. You've got to adapt and adjust, and we'll try to make the best of it," head coach Matt LaFleur said on Tuesday. "Like I've said with many of our guys, you never want anyone to miss practice. Whether it's a starter or a backup, it doesn't matter. You want everybody there, working on their craft and putting in the work to get better. But when somebody's not there, it's an opportunity for somebody else. You just have to look at it as glass half full and make the best of the situation."

Even though the answer applies perfectly to the wide receiver situation, LaFleur was talking primarily about quarterback Jordan Love, who will also miss practice time due to a left thumb surgery.

Now, the Packers have two priorities. The first is to get the top of the wide receiver room back as soon as possible—and everyone except Watson should be good by Week 1. The second is to evaluate the new bottom of the depth, giving new opportunities to see who can be a valuable asset to the roster.

"Particularly for young players, but for all players, every snap you have is valuable to learn something from, whether it's good or bad," general manager Brian Gutekunst said. "When you haven't seen things before, this is the first time you're seeing them, and you're going to grow from it. Some players grow faster than others, that's just the way it goes. It's always about trying to see things for the first time, learn from them, and try to get into a comfort zone so you're not thinking. Once you get into that comfort zone, usually the true talents come out."

For these wide receivers, volume at practice shouldn't be a problem.