The Green Bay Packers could be without their top rookie due to an injury when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers for Sunday Night Football in Week 8.
After Friday’s practice, the Packers added first-round rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden to their injury report with a hip injury and designated him as questionable to play against the Steelers on Sunday after he started the week as a full participant.
The Packers could still clear Golden to play against the Steelers, but his injury popping up in the middle of the week — and threatening his availability — is mildly concerning. Even if the team believes it is not a long-term issue, it could impact how much they are willing to play Golden on Sunday if they are worried about making the problem worse.
Golden has the third-most receptions (18), receiving yards (249) and targets (23) for the Packers through the first seven weeks of the season, but they also have a plethora of quality pass-catchers dotting their roster who could pick up the slack if Golden sits out.
The Packers (4-1-1) will kick off against the Steelers (4-2) at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Matthew Golden Had Started to Break Out for Packers
Golden’s injury comes at an unfortunate time for the rookie, even if he plays Sunday.
Golden has gradually become a more vital part of the Packers’ passing offense over the past month. After seeing just four targets combined in his first two NFL games, he has received at least four targets in each of his last four games, catching 16 passes for 233 yards and emerging as one of starting quarterback Jordan Love’s new favorites.
Golden has also yet to drop a single pass six games into his NFL career, underscoring another reason (reliable hands) why the Packers selected him with the No. 23 pick.
Fortunately, there is still hope that Golden’s hip injury is minor. The Packers have not yet commented on the nature or extent of it, as head coach Matt LaFleur spoke to the media before the team added Golden to the injury report following Friday’s practice.
If the Packers rule out Golden in Sunday’s pregame, though, it will spark more concern for his status moving into Week 9 — and the second half of the 2025 regular season.
Christian Watson Activated PUP List for Week 8 Game
The Packers would take a hit if they did not have Golden available against the Steelers in Sunday night’s prime-time matchup, but they will have back Christian Watson.
In a series of Saturday roster moves, the Packers activated wide receiver Christian Watson from the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list, clearing the way for him to return to the field for the first time since he tore his ACL early last January.
The Packers could potentially hold Watson to a pitch count in his first game back, but his availability should help alleviate concerns with Golden’s injury status. He can either split the reps with Golden in the “Z” receiver role if both play against the Steelers, or he can pick up the slack and take over for Golden entirely if the latter is ruled out.
