Head coach Matt Lafleur of the Green Bay Packers looks on during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 16, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. LaFleur addressed the benching of Malik Heath for the game.
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Head coach Matt Lafleur of the Green Bay Packers looks on during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 16, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. LaFleur addressed the benching of Malik Heath for the game.
On Saturday, the Packers made the strange announcement ahead of their Week 11 win over the Giants that they were taking wide receiver Malik Heath–who had played all nine games heading into what as no doubt a must-win–off the 53-man roster. Heath was healthy, and though he was not a starter, he had made some key contributions throughout the season.
But not only were the Packers making him a healthy scratch, he was not even joining the team on the trip to New York. That’s unusual. The only reason given was, “Coach’s decision.”
Here’s what the team wrote in its release about the situation: “WR Malik Heath (coach’s decision) will not travel with the team and will be OUT for tomorrow’s game against the Giants.”
Packers Not Planning to Cut Malik Heath
On Sunday, after an uncomfortable and blustery 27-20 win over the 2-9 Giants, Packers coach Matt LaFleur addressed the Heath situation–sort of. LeFleur did not exactly explain why Heath was left behind, and indicated that he won’t be providing an explanation in the near future, either.
But LaFleur did seem to say that once the team returns to Green Bay, all will be forgiven and forgotten. Whatever happened with Heath, there do not appear to be long-term consequences in terms of suspensions or his spot on the roster going forward.
“I am just going to keep that between our team. It’s just one of those decisions,” LaFleur said. “I will say this about Malik—he is definitely a valued member of our team, he has put in a lot of work for us and I look forward to seeing him tomorrow.”
Packers 53-Man Roster Projection Before Training Camp
GettyPackers wide receiver Malik Heath.
Christian Watson Comes Through for Packers
Heath might not have made a huge difference in Week 11, but it was not a banner day, no doubt, for Packers receivers. The team was riddled with at least four clear dropped passes in the game, including two by star Romeo Doubs, who has been relatively sure-handed this year. Doubs caught just four of the eight passes thrown his way.
Christian Watson, though, had an impressive day playing in the wind, catching four passes on five targets, including two touchdowns with a high level of difficulty.
LaFleur was asked how impressed he was with Watson, who is still on the comeback trail after having had major offseason knee surgery.
“A ton, a lot,” Watson said. “He made two critical—both of those touchdown catches were incredible catches by him. Just can’t say enough about the guy, the type of teammate he is, how he works on a daily basis. Got a lot of love for Christian Watson.”