The Green Bay Packers could get Christian Watson back for their pivotal matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the receiving corps is rapidly dwindling.
Jayden Reed remains sidelined on injured reserve, and Dontayvion Wicks is out on Sunday with a calf injury. Now, rookie Matthew Golden has appeared on the final injury report with a hip issue, leaving his availability for Sunday Night Football in serious doubt.
Will Matthew Golden Play Against the Steelers?
Golden has been a consistent presence for the Packers through the first six games of the season, recording four or more targets in four of those contests. He ranks as Green Bay’s third-most productive receiver, with 18 catches for 249 yards, and sits 10th in PFSN’s WR Impact metric.
With Reed and Wicks sidelined, Golden was once again set to be the team’s WR2 on Sunday. However, a hip injury suffered during Friday’s practice now casts doubt on his availability. The Packers have listed him as questionable for Sunday Night Football, leaving the team in a precarious spot ahead of a crucial matchup.
#UPDATE: On Sunday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport confirmed that Golden will play tonight against the Steelers. “Matthew Golden, listed as questionable with a hip injury, is expected to play today,” he wrote on X. “He’ll join Christian Watson, who was activated Saturday from PUP and will play.”
The limited designation on the injury report doesn’t offer much clarity. Golden may have likely participated in part of practice before exiting due to discomfort, but it’s impossible to know for certain whether he will be ready to play.
While the team would hope Golden’s injury is precautionary, the questionable designation raises concerns about Green Bay’s depth at wide receiver. Watson’s potential return provides a boost, but the Packers will likely limit his snaps to protect his recovering knee.
With Reed, Wicks, and now possibly Golden out, Green Bay’s receiving corps is stretched thin heading into a pivotal game against Pittsburgh. If Golden does miss the game, the Packers will need to rely heavily on Romeo Doubs and Malik Heath as the primary outside receivers while easing in Watson if he is active.
Head coach Matt LaFleur may also shift more targets to tight end Tucker Kraft, who leads the team with 326 receiving yards and four touchdowns, ranking third in PFSN’s TE Impact metric. Doubs has 306 yards and four scores to rank second, while running back Josh Jacobs contributes 16 receptions for 179 yards for the fourth spot.
Third-round rookie Savion Williams has seen very limited action this season, appearing mostly in gadget plays. He has just four receptions for 23 yards, as it seems LaFleur isn’t ready to trust him with a full-time role at wide receiver.
The Packers do have some extra versatility with Bo Melton, who has transitioned from receiver to cornerback but could see increased offensive snaps if Golden is unavailable.
