The Green Bay Packers are less than two days away from opening their 2026 NFL season against the Minnesota Vikings, but their roster is still undergoing changes. Green Bay enters the opener with several important questions on both sides of the ball, including uncertainty along the offensive line and a backfield that will be without one of its biggest stars.
Josh Jacobs remains on the commissioner’s exempt list and is ineligible to practice or play, leaving MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks and Kaleb Johnson to handle the running back workload. The Packers also have concerns involving Aaron Banks and Zach Bako-Bewele on the offensive line.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Bo Melton (16) Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The Packers made another change Friday, releasing wide receiver Bo Melton, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter
Melton had been part of Green Bay’s initial 53-man roster after the Packers kept six receivers. Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, Skyy Moore, Melton and undrafted rookie J. Michael Sturdivant originally made the group, while Savion Williams began the season on injured reserve.
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The 27-year-old Melton had also been listed as a backup to Watson on the Packers’ unofficial depth chart and was serving as a backup kickoff returner behind Skyy Moore. He played 16 games last season and recorded a career-high four special-teams tackles while averaging 24.6 yards on 19 kickoff returns.
Green Bay had re-signed Melton in April after he spent the previous three seasons with the organization, giving him another opportunity to remain part of Matt LaFleur’s versatile offensive and special-teams unit.
The release leaves Green Bay with Watson, Reed, Golden, Moore and Sturdivant as its available receivers, with Williams on injured reserve.
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Golden, the first-round pick, is expected to have a role immediately, while Watson’s return from injury adds another major piece to Jordan Love‘s passing game. The Packers will need that group to produce against a Minnesota defense led by Brian Flores.
Green Bay’s offensive line has three players dealing with injuries, while DE Micah Parsons remains on the PUP list and cannot play in the opener.
The Packers also have to replace Jacobs in the backfield. Kaleb Johnson was acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers after Jacobs was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, and the rookie could see a larger role alongside Lloyd and Brooks.
Green Bay will face Minnesota at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET, with Jordan Love leading an offense that could look different from the group the Packers originally assembled for Week 1.
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