Packers Get Bad News on Star Rookie Before ‘SNF’ vs. Steelers
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Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
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.
NFL Punishes Cowboys Star After Heartfelt Win Over Commanders
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One Dallas Cowboys favorite is getting his with NFL punishment coming out of their win over the Washington Commanders.
The Dallas Cowboys flexed their muscles against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, October 19, with a 44-22 win and bragging rights going into Week 8. It was a statement win, and Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott pulled out the numbers. According to NFL research, Cowboys wide receivers George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb combined for 182 receiving yards and a touchdown before halftime even started, and that’s because of Prescott’s precise ability to connect with his teammates on the field and in the trenches.
Now, the Cowboys will head into a Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos on the road. The Cowboys have a record of 3-3-1, with the tie game being against the Packers in Week 4, while the Broncos are 5-2.
But, going into Week 8, several Cowboys players are in hot water with the NFL, including a fan favorite. Every week during the regular NFL season, the league penalizes players for their actions in the previous week’s games. The NFL notes on their website that these actions are “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity, the NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed on a set of game-related rules violations that may result in accountability measures.”
George Pickens of the Dallas Cowboys Gets Punished By the NFL
In the NFL’s report for Week 7, Pickens was slapped with a $11,593 fine from the NFL for “taunting” and “unsportsmanlike conduct.” During the incident, with 31 seconds left in the second quarter, Prescott sent Pickens a long ball for a 44-yard gain before Pickens was pushed out of bounds by Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore. After the play, Pickens celebrated by screaming in Lattimore’s face and bumping chests. The refs didn’t throw a flag on the incident, but the NFL still fined Pickens for “taunting.”
Pickens wasn’t alone, either. Three other Cowboys players got hit with fines. Brock Hoffman was fined $6,111 for “taunting” and “unsportsmanlike conduct”; Javonte Williams was fined $16,830 for “use of the helmet” and “unnecessary roughness”; and Donovan Wilson was fined $23,186 for “use of the helmet” and “unnecessary roughness.”
The money from the fines will go to a good cause, though. According to the NFL, those fines will go to the Professional Athletes Foundation to “support legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.”
Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys is Moving Up
Nick Shook of the NFL’s official website has released his quarterback rankings for Week 8, and in the piece, out on Thursday, October 23, he puts Prescott in the first tier of quarterbacks in the league.
“More of the same from Dak Prescott in Week 7: Fantastic accuracy, improvisation and an undying desire to propel the Cowboys forward,” he states. “Most importantly to me, he’s established one of the best quarterback-wide receiver connections in the NFL with George Pickens. Dallas games are appointment viewing because of their highlight-producing potential.”
The Cowboys take on the Denver Broncos on Sunday, October 26, and then, they’ll play the Arizona Cardinals at home on Monday, November 3. Their NFL bye week lands on Week 10 for the 2025-26 season.
