The Green Bay Packers are making a move at wide receiver after deciding on Jayden Reed’s playing status for Thanksgiving against the Detroit Lions.
According to the transaction wire, the Packers signed wide receiver Will Sheppard from the practice squad to the active roster in a slew of moves on Wednesday, November 26.
They also elevated linebacker Jamon Johnson and defensive back Jaylin Simpson from the practice squad to the game-day roster and released kicker Lucas Havrisik to clear a spot for Sheppard to join Green Bay’s 53-man roster officially before Week 13’s game.
Notably absent from the Packers’ roster moves, however, was an activation for Reed from injured reserve, meaning he won’t play against the Lions on Thanksgiving. The Packers opened Reed’s 21-day practice window on November 21, and he spent the entire week as a limited participant in practice. No activation in the short week, though.
The Packers (7-3-1) will face the Lions (7-4) on the road at 1 p.m. ET on Thanksgiving.
Savion Williams Ruled Out, Matthew Golden Uncertain
While Reed’s activation will wait at least another week, the Packers had more reasons than just him to promote another pass-catcher to their roster for Week 13’s matchup.
In their final injury report, the Packers also ruled out third-round rookie wide receiver Savion Williams with a foot injury and listed first-round rookie Matthew Golden as questionable to play against the Lions, creating a potential depth issue at the position.
Williams has been managing his foot injury since Week 10, but he hadn’t missed a game yet before the Packers ruled him out against the Lions. The decision was not surprising, though, after Williams did not participate in all three practices in the short week.
Meanwhile, Golden’s injuries have kept him out of two of the last three games for the Packers, but he did appear to make progress in the injury report, as the team only listed him with a wrist injury instead of also including the shoulder issue that has slowed him.
The Packers also had wide receivers Romeo Doubs (wrist), Christian Watson (knee) and Dontayvion Wicks (calf) listed on their injury report in practice, but none of the three will carry injury designations into their Thanksgiving Day game against the Lions.
Will Sheppard Could Make NFL Debut Against Lions
The Packers have called up Sheppard — a 2025 undrafted rookie out of Colorado — as a depth precaution for Week 13’s matchup with the Lions. If they cannot clear Golden in the pregame, though, Sheppard could potentially see receiving snaps in his NFL debut.
Sheppard caught 48 passes for 621 yards and six touchdowns in 2024 as one of Shedeur Sanders‘ top receiving targets at Colorado, following up his productive three seasons at Vanderbilt. He also made a modest impression during his first NFL training camp with the Packers in the summer, catching three of four targets for 21 yards in limited action.
While Sheppard is more likely to have a special teams role than anything else against the Lions, the Packers could turn his way if more injuries rear their heads or they have any issues with their current receiving personnel. They will also have Bo Melton and Malik Heath, whom the Packers ruled out in Week 12 due to a coach’s decision.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Packers Make WR Move After Decision on Jayden Reed vs. Lions appeared first on Heavy Sports.