Taken in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to be the potential crown jewel of the Green Bay Packers offense, Matthew Golden hasn’t yet set the world on fire. Barring flashes of his superstar potential, the unit as a whole has been predicated on the concept of feeding everybody rather than focusing on one star player.
But over the course of the season, that hasn’t worked out perfectly for the franchise, as injuries have continued to mount in their skill position groups. In Week 9, that bug ultimately reached their rookie sensation as well. After missing their Week 10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, what is the latest on the wide receiver?
What Happened to Matthew Golden?
For the first time all year, the Packers lost back-to-back games in Weeks 9 and 10. For a team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, that put them near the fringes of the playoff race.
As the third seed in their own division, the path to a postseason berth got all the more complicated after their loss to the Eagles. Unfortunately, the state of the offense does not give much optimism about the chances of things improving.
Up and down the roster, injuries have ravaged the unit, with names like Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Dontayvion Vicks, and Tucker Kraft all missing games this year. Now, Romeo Doubs has also appeared on the injury report with a chest injury he suffered against Philadelphia.
Unfortunately, that is going to leave quarterback Jordan Love without many weapons to throw the ball to. As a result, Golden’s return to the lineup in Week 11 against the New York Giants is critical for the team’s chances.
Ranked 15th on PFSN’s WR Impact, he has been sensational whenever he’s been called upon, with totals of 262 yards on 23 catches, while being targeted just 29 times. Thankfully, all signs point to Golden getting back in the lineup soon.
Before the game against the Eagles, which he missed with a shoulder injury, head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed, “It’s just one of those deals that he’s fighting to play. He’s gotta be able to handle everything that’s thrown at him. No setback, this is totally day-by-day.”
From there, it wouldn’t be impossible to assume that he’s ready to go one week later. His return is going to be critical for the Packers’ chances, especially as the race for the division and a playoff berth tightens up.
The Packers will travel to New York for Sunday Night Football on November 16.