The Green Bay Packers/20565/”>Packers appeared to have assembled an impressive group of young wide receivers, but expecting everyone to remain satisfied with their roles may have been overly optimistic.
While Lambeau Field hasn’t typically seen many issues with wide receiver egos, it seems that a problem has now surfaced.
According to a report from Veteran Packers beat writer Bill Huber of SI.com, the issue revolves around wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who missed practice on Thursday and Friday for what head coach Matt LaFleur described as a “personal” matter.
Huber, citing NFL sources, reported on Friday night that Doubs’ absence was due to dissatisfaction with his role in the offense.
“Green Bay Packers receiver Romeo Doubs skipped practice on Thursday and wasn’t present on Friday because he is upset with his opportunities in the passing game, sources told Packers On SI,” Huber wrote. “Because he didn’t practice the last two days, he is officially doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.”
Romeo Doubs Misses Two Practices
Team officials reportedly became concerned on Thursday when Doubs didn’t show up to practice, and they dispatched representatives to find him. LaFleur appeared surprised by Doubs’ absence and, when asked about his status for Friday’s practice, responded, “Yeah, I would hope so. We’ll take it one day at a time.”
The Packers had located Doubs by that point. “Worried about Doubs’s well-being, team representatives found him at his home,” Huber reported.
The situation with Doubs could indicate a larger issue that the Packers may need to address as the NFL trade deadline approaches. Doubs is one of four talented wide receivers on the roster, alongside Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks. Unlike many teams that establish a clear hierarchy at the position, Green Bay has yet to do so.
According to Pro Football Reference, the Packers’ pass-catchers have been targeted 118 times, and only three players have more than 20 targets: Doubs (20), Wicks, and Reed (both with 22). Tight end Tucker Kraft has 17 targets. If any receiver has been overlooked, it’s Watson, who has only eight targets.
Packers Recently Got Jordan Love Back
It’s unusual for Doubs to be frustrated with his role, considering the Packers’ passing game remains a work in progress. Green Bay started the season with a chaotic loss in Sao Paulo in Week 1, during which quarterback Jordan Love was injured on the team’s final drive. For the next two weeks, the team leaned heavily on the run game with backup Malik Willis under center.
Love returned last week, and while shaking off some rust, he attempted 54 passes, eight of which were aimed at Doubs, who caught four of them.
Doubs, now in his third season, has occasionally flashed the potential to become the team’s No. 1 receiver. Heading into 2023, it was expected that the top receiver spot would be a competition between Doubs and Watson. However, the rise of Reed and Wicks, along with Watson’s ongoing injury struggles, has complicated that picture.
If any receiver has claimed the top spot, it appears to be Reed, a second-round pick from Michigan State in 2023.
Doubs, a fourth-round pick in 2022, may be positioning himself for a trade out of Green Bay, a scenario the team could consider. He had a solid season last year with 59 catches, 674 yards, and eight touchdowns.
At 24 years old and still on his rookie contract, Doubs holds trade value. The Packers could potentially move him for a third- or even second-round draft pick, or they could target help at cornerback. With Malik Heath and Bo Melton also available, the Packers have depth at receiver.
For now, though, the priority is to get Doubs back on the field.
