Packers WR Romeo Doubs Expected To Play In Week 6
Last week, Romeo Doubs was absent from practice and subsequently suspended for one game by the Packers. The third-year wideout has returned to the team, though, and no further issues in his case are expected. 
“The one thing I’ll say about it is, I mean, it’s a pretty isolated incident,” head coach Matt LaFleur said (via Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). “Like this has not happened with him before. I don’t expect it to happen moving forward.”
Shortly before the Packers announced their decision to suspend Doubs for conduct detrimental to the team, multiple reports stated Doubs was unhappy with his role in Green Bay’s offense this season. The 24-year-old currently ranks third on the Packers with 20 targets, and his 169 yards place him second on the team. His share of the passing attack has taken a step back compared to last season, but Doubs has remained a full-time starter in 2024. When speaking publicly for the first time since his suspension, he denied his workload drove last week’s absence.
“I had to make sure that I got the family together again,” Doubs said as a reference to the Packers’ receiver corps (h/t The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman). “I’d say there was some things going on off the field, so as far as just the organization and just the staff, players, there’s nothing going on within that area, so I just wanna make myself clear there.”
Doubs added he “had some things going on mentally” last week, while stating he is better now and expressing regret about how he handled the situation. The former fourth-rounder recently had a productive meeting with the team, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, positioning all parties involved to move forward. Questions were raised about a potential Doubs trade in the wake of last week’s events, but no such move is expected to receive consideration on Green Bay’s end.
Beginning again in Week 6, the Nevada product will likely handle a key role in the passing game. Doubs posted a 59-674-8 statline last season, and repeating that production could set himself up for an extension as early as this spring. For the time being, though, he and the Packers will look to put the suspension in the past and avoid any similar situations arising.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/10/24
Thursday’s minor moves, including elevations for the opening game of Week 6:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed to active roster: CB Tony Brown
Green Bay Packers
- Signed (off Falcons’ practice squad): TE John FitzPatrick
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: DT Matthew Butler
New England Patriots
- Signed (off Raiders’ practice squad): C Ben Brown
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: DT Evan Anderson, S Jaylen Mahoney
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed to active roster: CB Artie Burns
- Activated from PUP list: DT Cameron Young
- Placed on IR: OLB Uchenna Nwosu (story)
- Waived: G McClendon Curtis
- Elevated: OLB Jamie Sheriff, S Ty Okada
Washington Commanders
- Waived: QB Sam Hartman
Packers To Place Luke Musgrave On IR; TE Could Return In 2024
Luke Musgrave is set to miss time. The second-year tight end is dealing with an ankle injury which will land him on injured reserve, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said on Thursday. 
Musgrave dressed for Green Bay’s Week 5 game against the Rams, but he did not see any playing time. He managed to take part in practice yesterday, but LaFleur added (via Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) the team was unaware of the extent of Musgrave’s injury until recently. Moving the 24-year-old to injured reserve will ensure an absence of at least four games and allow him to recover.
The Packers hope to have Musgrave back in the fold at some point this season, but for the time being the team’s offense will move forward without one of its many young skill-position players. Despite only playing 11 regular season games last year, the Oregon State alum managed 352 yards and one touchdown on 34 receptions; he added another score during Green Bay’s playoff run. Coming off that level of production, expectations were high for a step forward in Year 2.
Musgrave managed just five receptions in his four games to date in 2024, but his injury hampered his effectiveness. Rather than continuing to suit up at less than 100%, his attention will turn to rehab. That will leave Tucker Kraft – selected one round after Musgrave in last April’s draft – alone atop the TE depth chart for the time being. Kraft had a slow start to the year, but he has combined for 10 catches, 141 yards and three touchdowns over the past two games. Continuing that level of involvement in the offense would help compensate for Musgrave’s absence as Green Bay seeks to have quarterback Jordan Love move past the MCL injury which affected his start to the campaign.
The Packers were among the teams to take advantage of the new IR rules with respect to summer roster planning. Defensive lineman Jonathan Ford was designated for return from injured reserve before the cutdown deadline, a move which prevented him from being named to the initial roster. It used up one of Green Bay’s eight IR activations for the season, though, and doing the same with Musgrave will be necessary if he is indeed able to recover at some point before the end of the campaign.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/9/24
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: T Austen Pleasants
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Tommy Sweeney
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: S Trey Dean, DE Marcus Haynes
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Robert Rochell
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Jared Wayne
- Released: DT Marcus Harris
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: T Jack Wilson
- Released: K Spencer Shrader
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: CB Nehemiah Shelton
- Released: LB Shaquille Quarterman
New York Jets
- Signed: C Alec Lindstrom, S Jaylen Key
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: T John Ojukwu
Wilson is a former collegiate basketball player who played for two years apiece at Idaho and Oregon State. He transitioned to football, transferring to Washington State for three years, appearing in 12 games in 2022 at right and left tackle. He then played in 13 basketball games for the Cougars before transferring to Minnesota and transitioning back to basketball for his final year of collegiate eligibility.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/7/24
Here are the minor moves made around the NFL on Monday:
Arizona Cardinals
- Received one-game roster exemption: WR Zay Jones
Atlanta Falcons
- Designated for return from IR: LB Nathan Landman
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed (off Falcons’ practice squad): G Andrew Stueber
Cleveland Browns
- Received one-game roster exemption: DT Mike Hall
Green Bay Packers
- Released: CB Robert Rochell
Philadelphia Eagles
- Opened practice window: S Sydney Brown, WR Ainias Smith
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: G Kyle Hergel
- Placed on IR: OL Shane Lemieux
- Elevated: S Johnathan Abram, LB Isaiah Stalbird
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on IR: OLB Markees Watts
Tennessee Titans
- Designated for return from IR: LB Cedric Gray
Both Jones and Hall were issued suspensions under the personal conduct policy leaving them sidelined for the first five weeks of the season. Their roster exemptions will allow them to make their debuts in Week 6, but after that point a corresponding move will be needed for them to be permanently activated to their respective 53-man rosters.
Lemieux served as New Orleans’ starting center in Week 4 after being promoted from the practice squad. He stepped into a first-team role in place of Erik McCoy, who is dealing with a groin injury. Losing Lemieux for at least the next four games will deal another blow to the Saints’ O-line. Connor McGovern was added to the mix recently, but Lucas Patrick has received the nod at center to begin the team’s Week 5 matchup.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/5/24
Saturday’s gameday elevations and other minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: OL Charlie Heck, K Chad Ryland
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: RB Chris Collier, OLB Yannick Ngakoue
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: WR Tyrell Shavers, DT Branson Deen
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: LB Thomas Incoom, DT T.J. Smith
- Placed on IR: LB Shaq Thompson (story)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: CB Jalen Davis
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed to active roster: LB Nick Vigil
- Elevated: DE Carl Lawson, CB Amani Oruwariye
Denver Broncos
Green Bay Packers
- Signed to active roster: CB Robert Rochell
- Elevated: FB Andrew Beck
Houston Texans
- Elevated: RB J.J. Taylor
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: RB Evan Hull, CB David Long
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: LB Tanner Muse, S Matthew Jackson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: DE K’Lavon Chaisson
- Placed on IR: LB Luke Masterson
- Elevated: RB Sincere McCormick, WR Alex Bachman
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: WR Xavier Smith, CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: CB Nik Needham
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: RB Myles Gaskin, S Bobby McCain
New England Patriots
- Signed to active roster: DT Jaquelin Roy
- Elevated: OL Bryan Hudson, LB Ochaun Mathis
New York Giants
- Activated from IR: LB Matt Adams
- Waived: LB Benton Whitley
- Elevated: WR Isaiah Hodgins, RB Dante Miller
New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from IR: OLB Jeremiah Moon
- Elevated: WR Brandon Johnson, RB Jonathan Ward
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from IR: DT Kalia Davis
- Elevated: DL T.Y. McGill, WR Trent Taylor
Washington Commanders
- Activated from IR: QB Marcus Mariota
- Elevated: CB Kevon Seymour, WR Brycen Tremayne
Mariota returned to practice on Wednesday, which was the earliest point at which he could be designated for return. As a result, it comes as little surprise he has been brought back onto Washington’s active roster. The 30-year-old is in his first season with the Commanders, and today’s move paves the way for him to handle backup duties moving forward.
Ngakoue remained on the free agent market into the start of the regular season. He was not connected to a Ravens reunion, but one took place last week. The journeyman sack artist had a brief spell with Baltimore in 2020, and he posted three sacks in 11 games. Ngakoue, 29, had one-and done campaigns in Vegas, Indianapolis and Chicago before taking a Ravens practice squad deal. He will make his debut tomorrow and aim to provide depth along the edge.
Packers Suspend Romeo Doubs For Week 5
Romeo Doubs will not be in the Packers’ lineup for Week 5, but not due to injury. The third-year receiver was placed on the reserve/suspended list for one game on Saturday, per a team announcement.
As first reported by Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber, Doubs did not practice on Thursday or Friday in the build-up to Green Bay’s game against the Rams tomorrow. He did not travel with the team today, pointing to an absence which has now been confirmed. At issue is Doubs’ role in the Packers’ passing attack this season.
The 24-year-old has, as expected, been a fixture on offense to date with a snap share of 81%. Doubs received a combined total of only five targets between Weeks 2 and 3, but in the season opener he saw seven. That figure checked in at eight during the Packers’ Week 4 loss, a contest in which Christian Watson departed due to an ankle sprain. In his absence, Dontayvion Wicks took on an elevated role and saw 13 targets; Wicks made only five catches, though, and he was charged with three drops.
Overall, Doubs ranks a close third on the Packers with 20 targets. Wicks and Jayden Reed sit tied for the lead in that department with 22, and the latter’s 336 receiving yards lead the team. Doubs is second in yardage, but his share of the offense has taken a step back compared to 2023, when he led the team in targets (96). The Nevada product was also a key contributor during his rookie year, leading to expectations he would remain a highly productive member of the Packers’ young pass-catching corps in 2024. Doubs has certainly not been an afterthought, but his reaction to his workload has resulted in team discipline.
“Unfortunately, we had to make the difficult decision to suspend Romeo for this week’s game,” a statement from Packers GM Brian Gutekunst reads. “His decisions and actions during the week negatively impacted the team and required us to take this action. While we are certainly disappointed, we are confident that we will be able to move forward in a positive manner. Romeo is a valuable member of our team and we look forward to welcoming him back next week.”
Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the matter is expected to be resolved, adding Doubs’ long-term future in Green Bay does not seem to be in doubt. Indeed, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones confirms teams calling about his availability were told a trade is not under consideration. It will nevertheless be interesting to see how team and player proceed in the wake of today’s move. Doubs remains attached to his rookie contract through 2025, making him an important figure on offense now and moving forward.
Without him in the lineup – and with Watson listed as doubtful after he did not practice at all during the week – Reed and Wicks will figure to handle a sizable workload in the passing game. Despite Jordan Love‘s missed time earlier in the year, the Packers sit at 2-2 on the season and have posted strong numbers in several offensive categories. Continuing to do so will be key against the Rams, but that will be challenging given the shorthanded nature of the receiving corps.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/2/24
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Practice window opened: T Christian Jones
Cleveland Browns
- Signed to active roster: LB Nathaniel Watson
Green Bay Packers
- Practice window opened: DT Jonathan Ford
Houston Texans
- Practice window opened: DT Kurt Hinish
Las Vegas Raiders
- Practice window opened: S Trey Taylor
New York Giants
- Practice window opened: LB Matthew Adams
Miami Dolphins
- Practice window opened: CB Cam Smith
New England Patriots
- Designated for return from reserve/PUP list: WR Kendrick Bourne, LB Sione Takitaki (story)
- Practice window opened: S Marte Mapu
New York Jets
- Practice window opened: DT Leki Fotu
- Released from IR: LB Brandon Smith
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed to active roster: RB Aaron Shampklin
- Practice window opened: LB Jeremiah Moon
San Francisco 49ers
- Practice window opened: DL Kalia Davis
Seattle Seahawks
- Designated for return from PUP list: DT Cameron Young
Today marks most teams’ first practice before Week 5, making it the first date players stashed on IR as teams set their initial 53-man rosters can work out again with their teams. This year’s IR tweak allowed teams to designate up to two players for return August 27, the catch being all players who receive that designation count toward their respective club’s eight-activation total. The batch included in today’s minor moves post consists entirely of players to receive that August IR-return designation.
The IR-return window is unchanged, however, with teams having 21 days from Wednesday to activate these players. Anyone from today’s group not being activated from IR by October 23 must miss the rest of the season. PFR will keep track of all players returning from IR via the Injured Reserve Return Tracker.
Packers Audition Kickers Chad Ryland, Lucas Havrisik
Green Bay’s kicker plan is not off to a good start. After cutting both Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph, the Packers have seen the player they ultimately chose — waiver claim Brayden Narveson — miss four field goals thus far this season.
Matt LaFleur expressed support for Narveson, despite his two-miss Week 4, but he is 9-for-13 thus far this season. And none of the misses have come from beyond 50 yards. Three misfires came from between 40 and 49, while Narveson has also missed from inside 40 yards to start his Packers tenure that could be short if he cannot turn it around soon.
LaFleur’s vote of confidence notwithstanding, ESPN.com’s Field Yates notes the Pack worked out two other options — Chad Ryland, Lucas Havrisik — who carry more experience. Ryland kicked for the Patriots in 2023, while Havrisik kicked in nine games for the Rams last season.
Before bailing on the kicker they chose in the 2023 draft, the Packers became the rare team to carry three kickers on its 90-man roster throughout training camp. The team had signed Joseph to push Carson but ended up dissatisfied with both. Narveson went to camp with the Titans, but the Packers had targeted him as a UDFA earlier this year. A waiver claim sent a player who kicked at three schools (Iowa State, Western Kentucky, NC State) to Wisconsin.
Ryland beat out Nick Folk for the Patriots job but lost a training camp battle to Joey Slye this summer. He was just 16-for-25 as a rookie, though a 56-yard game-winner did down the Broncos in Week 16. Havrisik was 15 of 20 for the Rams last season, but the team waived him just before the playoffs. Havrisik could not win the Browns’ job this summer.
The Packers do have Alex Hale, who vied with Joseph and Carlson for the job this offseason, on their practice squad. Teams do not make a habit of carrying two P-squad kickers. Unless Green Bay is looking to upgrade its Narveson competition on its taxi squad, the hunt for Narveson replacements is underway. It is safe to say the 25-year-old rookie is on notice.
Christian Watson Suffers High Ankle Sprain
OCTOBER 1: Further testing has revealed Watson’s sprain to be a mild one, Schultz reports. As a result, a stint on injured reserve is unlikely, although some missed time could of course still be in store.
SEPTEMBER 29: The Packers could be without wide receiver Christian Watson for a couple of weeks. The third-year wideout was carted off the field in today’s loss to the Vikings, and according to veteran NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, the early belief is that he suffered a high ankle sprain. 
Tests have not revealed a fracture, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport adds, but Watson will be an IR candidate. This would sideline the former second-round pick until Week 9. Watson has run into steady injury trouble during his career, having already missed 11 games — including eight last season. That total will soon expand.
Watson’s biggest season came as a second-round rookie with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback. A season after the Packers traded away Davante Adams, Rodgers had one of his worst campaigns with the team while throwing to Watson, Allen Lazard, Romeo Doubs, and Randall Cobb. Watson led the team with seven receiving touchdowns while finishing second on the team with 611 receiving yards that year.
Once Jordan Love took over as quarterback, Watson’s role in the offense began to wane. In his second year, he caught only 28 of his 53 targets, finishing fourth on the team with 422 receiving yards while adding five touchdowns. So far this year, Watson has continued in that WR3/4 role, reeling in five passes for 80 yards and a score.
Despite some change in running back personnel, the Packers return much of the same offense from last year’s playoff crew. If Watson misses time, Love will still have Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks as his top-three wideouts. In Watson’s absence, Green Bay would need Bo Melton to step into the WR4 role.
High ankle sprains have been common so far this season with varying results. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1, and though he’s missed a couple plays, he hasn’t missed any starts following the injury. The Falcons placed center Drew Dalman on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain, forcing him out for at least four contests. Lastly, Cowboys’ star defender Micah Parsons is expected to be out two to four weeks with the same ailment.
It seems to be dependent on the severity and the individual, but it seems likely Watson could miss an extended stretch. The 25-year-old will undergo some tests Monday to gain more clarity on his injury.