The Packers approach Sunday’s game against the Giants in week two of life without Tucker Kraft, following the star tight end’s season-ending knee energy versus Carolina. Last week against the Eagles, injuries made Bo Melton the team’s WR4. Matthew Golden, who missed the game, is questionable for Week 11, as is Savion Williams.
While those two are trending in the right direction, the Packers will now be without another passing target in third-year receiver Malik Heath. Casualty of a mysterious “coach’s decision,” Heath will stay home while the rest of the team travels to New York.
Heath’s underwhelming season takes turn for worse
The coach’s decision serves to explain Heath’s upcoming absence, but so far, there has been no elaboration of the decision itself. Appearing in all nine games thus far, Heath has six catches on six targets for 86 yards. Since snagging a 37-yarder in Week 2 against the Commanders, his best game was a 3-catch, 29-yard game performance in Pittsburgh. Other than that, he hasn’t done much.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Malik Heath (18) breaks away for a long reception against the Minnesota Vikings during their football game Sunday, December 31, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Heath beat out Mecole Hardman in the preseason for the last spot in the receiver room. In each game this season he’s earned between 11 and 28 snaps, including 20 Monday night against the Eagles. The Packers have dealt with their fair share of injuries downfield – Jayden Reed went down in Week 2, Christian Watson missed the first six games, Dontayvion Wicks got hurt, and then Golden didn’t play last week on top of the Kraft loss.
Given that context, it’s not a good sign for Heath that he hasn’t been very involved. If it wasn’t clear enough, Melton, the converted cornerback, took priority as a target last game.
Whatever happened to get him “grounded” for this one – Zach Kruse of Packers Wire suggests, as would make sense, that the absence could be team-imposed discipline for something behind the scenes – the silver lining is that it could increase the likelihood that Golden and Williams are good to go.
Aug 10, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) celebrates with wide receiver Malik Heath (18) after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Even with his limited involvement, the Packers would probably be less eager to do without Heath if they knew they were going to be short on depth-chart reinforcements.
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