The Green Bay Packers elevated receiver Bo Melton from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 17. The move was announced Saturday, making Melton available for Matt LaFleur and the Packers for Sunday night’s showdown with the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Melton, a second-year receiver out of Rutgers, has been elevated each of the last three weeks.
Once again, depth was needed at receiver, a position where Christian Watson (doubtful, hamstring) isn’t expected to play and Dontayvion Wicks (questionable, chest/ankle) didn’t practice all week. While the Packers will return Jayden Reed, Melton has earned more playing time after catching five passes and producing four first downs over the last two games. Last week, Melton caught a career-high four passes and delivered a couple of key conversions against the Carolina Panthers.
Melton became the fifth player to be elevated from the practice squad three times by the Packers this season.
Last week, receivers coach Jason Vrable said he really liked the way Melton has progressed over the 2023 season.
“He’s done a tremendous job on special teams in practice, and he’s doing a great job on scout team, and every time I give him a rep, speaking of Bo, he would go out there and make a play at practice with Jordan,” Vrable said.
Melton played a career-high 25 snaps on offense during last week’s win in Charlotte. He was targeted six times and finished with five touches.
The Packers also signed safety Benny Sapp III to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. Sapp was out of elevations.
Green Bay’s final injury report on Friday featured nine players with playing status designations, and the addition of Eric Stokes made it 10 on Saturday. Reinforcements from the practice squad were likely needed to complete an active 46-man roster for Sunday night.
All teams are allowed to elevate up to two players from the practice squad each week. An individual player can only be elevated from the practice squad three times per season, so Melton is out of elevations and would need to be signed to the roster to play for the Packers again this season. On Monday, Melton will revert back to the practice squad.
Elevations by week
Week 1: RB Patrick Taylor, DB Innis Gaines
Week 2: RB Patrick Taylor, DB Innis Gaines
Week 3: RB Patrick Taylor, CB Corey Ballentine
Week 4: CB Corey Ballentine, CB Kiondre Thomas
Week 5: CB Corey Ballentine
Week 7: None
Week 8: None
Week 9: DB Innis Gaines
Week 10: None
Week 11: S Benny Sapp III
Week 12: S Benny Sapp III, FB Henry Pearson
Week 13: RB James Robinson, FB Henry Pearson
Week 14: RB Kenyan Drake
Week 15: RB Kenyan Drake, WR Bo Melton
Week 16: WR Bo Melton, S Benny Sapp III
Week 17: WR Bo Melton
