When the Green Bay Packers chose not to elevate a single wide receiver from their practice squad ahead of their Monday Night Football matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 10, 2025, it wasn’t just a roster move—it was a gamble that backfired. The decision, made at 4:00 PM EST on Sunday, November 9, 2025, revealed more about the team’s internal confidence—or lack thereof—than any press release ever could. And by the final whistle at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, the Packers had lost 10-7, their offense sputtering to a halt with just 145 passing yards and no touchdowns.
Three Questionable Receivers, Zero Elevations
The Green Bay Packers entered Week 10 with three wide receivers listed as questionable: rookie Matthew Golden (shoulder), second-year player Dontayvion Wicks (calf), and Savion Williams (foot). All three had been limited in practice the week leading up to the game. Yet despite having four capable backups on the practice squad—Will Sheppard, Isaiah Neyor, Jakobie Keeney-James, and newly signed Michael Woods II—the organization, led by Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur, declined to promote anyone. That’s not just conservative. It’s bold. Or reckless. Depending on how you see it.
Golden, the 23-year-old undrafted free agent out of Rice, hadn’t practiced since Friday. Wicks and Williams had been limited, but not ruled out. The assumption? At least one or two would be ready. The reality? Only Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Malik Heath suited up. Two of the three questionable players didn’t play at all. And the Packers’ depth chart looked thinner than a Wisconsin winter coat.
Why Elevate Welch? The Defense’s Hidden Struggle
Instead of adding offensive firepower, the Packers elevated Kristian Welch, a 26-year-old linebacker from Iowa. Welch had been on the 53-man roster in early November, released, then re-signed to the practice squad just two days before the game. His elevation wasn’t about special teams—it was about matchup preparation. The Philadelphia Eagles run a physical, run-heavy offense with tight ends and fullbacks frequently lining up as extra blockers. Green Bay’s linebackers were getting pushed around in recent games. Welch brings toughness. He’s not flashy. But he’s reliable. And in a 10-7 game, every tackle matters.
Still, the move sent a message: the coaching staff believed their defensive adjustments could win the game, even if the offense sputtered. That’s a dangerous philosophy when your starting wideouts are on the injury report like a hospital discharge list.
The Rules Behind the Decision
The NFL’s practice squad rules—expanded during the pandemic in 2020—allow teams to carry 16 players. Ten of those spots are reserved for players with two or fewer accrued seasons. Six are open to veterans. And one is reserved for the International Pathway Program, which the Packers are using for 27-year-old English defensive tackle Dante Barnett. The system is designed for flexibility. But the Packers didn’t use it flexibly. They used it like a safety net they didn’t want to touch.
Why? One theory: they feared losing a practice squad receiver to another team’s claim. Another: they trusted their depth so much they didn’t want to risk exposing a backup to injury in practice. Or maybe, just maybe, they didn’t believe any of the four practice squad receivers could make a meaningful difference.
The Fallout: Offense Stalls, Record Deteriorates
Quarterback Jordan Love finished the game 18-of-34 for 145 yards, one interception, and zero touchdowns. His longest completion? A 22-yard pass to Romeo Doubs. The Eagles’ defense, led by Haason Reddick and Jason Kelce, smothered the Packers’ passing game like a wet blanket. No receiver had more than 41 yards. No play went beyond 25 yards. And the Packers’ offense managed just 247 total yards.
It was the kind of performance that makes front offices sweat. The Packers entered the game 5-3-1. They left at 5-4-1. And with the schedule tightening—next up: the Minnesota Vikings in a divisional showdown—their playoff hopes now hinge on a miracle.
What This Means for the Rest of the Season
This wasn’t an isolated mistake. It was the latest symptom of a deeper issue: the Packers’ inability to develop reliable depth at wide receiver. Since Week 6, injuries have decimated the position. Christian Watson missed two games. Dontayvion Wicks has missed three. Matthew Golden was supposed to be the future. Now he’s a question mark. And the team’s preseason trade with the Eagles—sending a 2027 sixth-round pick for an undisclosed player—now looks like a desperate gamble with no payoff.
Coaching staffs often say they trust their players. But when you don’t elevate a single backup receiver, even with three starters questionable, you’re not trusting—you’re hoping. And hope doesn’t win games in November.
What’s Next?
The Packers face the Minnesota Vikings on November 17, 2025, in a game that could define their season. If they lose, they’ll be 5-5-1—and effectively out of the NFC North race. If they win, it’ll be on the backs of their defense and a suddenly reinvigorated running game. But if the offense doesn’t improve, the pressure on Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur will become unbearable.
One thing’s clear: the Packers won’t survive another game with only two healthy wide receivers. The league is too fast. The competition too fierce. And the clock is ticking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn’t the Packers elevate any wide receivers from the practice squad?
The Packers opted to rely on their three active receivers despite three others being questionable, likely because they believed at least two of the injured players (Wicks and Williams) would play. They may have also feared exposing a practice squad receiver to injury or losing one to another team’s claim. But with Golden inactive and Wicks and Williams both sidelined, the decision left Jordan Love with only Doubs, Watson, and Heath as options—far too few for a high-stakes Monday night game.
How did the Eagles’ defense exploit Green Bay’s lack of receiver depth?
The Eagles focused on doubling Romeo Doubs and jamming Christian Watson at the line, knowing Green Bay had no reliable third or fourth option. With no threat from the bench, Philadelphia’s secondary played aggressively, dropping into zones and forcing Jordan Love into hurried throws. The result? Only 145 passing yards and one interception—a direct consequence of the Packers’ failure to bolster their receiving corps.
What does this say about Brian Gutekunst’s roster management?
Gutekunst’s approach has become increasingly risk-averse. He traded away draft capital for unproven players, failed to develop depth at key positions, and now appears unwilling to trust his practice squad talent. The decision to elevate a linebacker over a wide receiver suggests a belief that defense can carry the team—but in the modern NFL, you can’t win with a crippled offense. This move may be a sign of deeper organizational mismanagement.
Could the Packers have signed a free agent instead of relying on their practice squad?
Technically, yes—but the NFL’s waiver wire system requires teams to clear claims before signing free agents, and with the deadline for roster moves already passed, the Packers had to choose from existing practice squad options. Still, they could have promoted a receiver earlier in the week to give him game reps. Instead, they waited until Sunday night, leaving no time for preparation. That’s not strategy—it’s negligence.
How does this compare to past Packers injury decisions?
In 2022, when Davante Adams was injured, the Packers elevated Allen Lazard from the practice squad and later signed Jordan Love (as a backup) to fill gaps. In 2023, they promoted Amari Rodgers after multiple injuries and saw him catch 11 passes in a single game. This year’s approach—waiting until the last minute and betting on recovery—is a stark departure from their past adaptability. The team’s historical resilience is being replaced by rigidity.
What’s the likelihood the Packers make a move before the trade deadline?
The NFL trade deadline is November 5, 2025—already passed. So the Packers can’t acquire a receiver via trade until next offseason. Their only option now is to promote from within or sign a free agent off the street after Week 11. But with the roster locked until December, they’re stuck with what they’ve got. That’s a problem for a team that needs 10 wins to make the playoffs.