When the Green Bay Packers released their practice injury report on Monday afternoon, six new names popped up on it. Most notably, first-round rookie WR Matthew Golden is dealing with an ankle injury and was listed as a limited participant. The No. 23 pick in April’s draft had two receptions on two targets for 16 yards in his debut.
In addition to Golden, RT Zach Tom was listed as a non-participant with an oblique injury, CB Bo Melton did not participate with a shoulder injury, G Aaron Banks did not participate with ankle and groin injuries, DT Brenton Cox Jr. did not participate with a groin injury, and P Daniel Whelan was a full participant, but did show up on the report with a right knee injury. All six players were new additions to the injury report.
This is in addition to QB Jordan Love, WR Jayden Reed, CB Nate Hobbs, S Zayne Anderson, ED Micah Parsons, WR Dontayvion Wicks, and ED Barryn Sorrell, who are all on the injury report with varying statuses once again.
Matthew Golden Had a Limited Role for the Green Bay Packers in Week 1
Justin Casterline/GettyGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 09: Matthew Golden #22 of the Green Bay Packers is tackled by Brandon Stephens #21 of the New York Jets during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between the New York Jets and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 09, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Per PFF (via Matthew Betz), Golden ran a route on only 13 of Love’s 23 dropbacks. That’s not a good number for fantasy managers, who were hoping the draft capital Green Bay invested in him would outweigh the team’s usual approach to receiving distributions.
By comparison, Romeo Doubs ran 17 routes, Reed ran 12, and Wicks ran nine. The Packers are infamous for their wide-receivers-by-committee approach, something that’s frustrated fantasy enthusiasts in the past. The Packers have had productive offenses despite this, so it clearly works. But they have lacked the punch of a true, take-over player at the position, something Golden was drafted to be. The reports out of training camp were that he was wowing on a daily basis, but clearly that didn’t translate into a larger on-field role in his debut.
Perhaps his ankle injury had something to do with it. Either way, it’s possible he’ll become more regularly involved as the season goes on, but if the Packers keep winning like that, they’ll have no need to change up what they’re doing.
The Packers Got a Dominating Win Over Their Division Rivals
While the injuries count as bad news, the good news for the Packers was in the game itself on Sunday. Green Bay absolutely dominated the Lions at home, going up 27-6 before a late Detroit touchdown made the score a little less ugly for them.
It’s probably the toughest division in the NFL, and the division race is expected to come down to the wire between the Packers and Lions (the Bears and Vikings could be factors, too). Getting a win over your main competition — especially in such convincing fashion — it’s a big deal. The Packers take an early lead in the NFC North.
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