The Green Bay Packers did not activate one of their practice squad receivers this week, despite the multitude of injuries at the position. This was viewed as a positive sign that the Packers’ questionable pass-catchers could be available on Monday Night against the Philadelphia Eagles. That was until NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported two hours before kickoff that first-round rookie receiver Matthew Golden is not expected to play versus the Eagles due to a shoulder injury.
Without Golden, here’s what Green Bay receiver room will look like:
Mind you, this is all coming off the season-ending ACL tear to tight end Tucker Kraft, who has more yards after catch than all of the other Packers’ receivers and tight ends combined. The Green Bay offense has relied on quick-game passing and checkdowns, but Kraft has been the only one who has been able to turn short targets into first-down conversions consistently this year. Now, they’ll be out Kraft entirely and have to rely on a banged-up and short-handed receiver unit to make up the difference against the Eagles.