Wednesday's Packers Transactions: What They Mean for Today vs. Lions

The Packers added a running back, and wide receiver, and elevated two other players to the active roster. Here is what each of those moves mean for Thursday's game and beyond.

GREEN BAY, Wis - The Green Bay Packers signed wide receiver Bo Melton and running back James Robinson to the active roster and elevated safety Benny Sapp III and fullback Henry Pearson to the game-day roster for Sunday's tilt against the Detroit Lions. 

Here's a look at those transitions and what they mean. 

Signed to Active Roster: RB James Robinson, WR Bo Melton

The Packers could be short-handed at wide receiver with Dontayvion Wicks and Jayden Reed on the injury report.

Wicks is in the concussion protocol, and while he would have practiced as limited participation on Wednesday, he might be unable get through all the testing with a short turnaround between Sunday's win over the Chargers and Thursday's early start time. 

Melton spent time with the Packers last season and in training camp this year before being released and re-signed to the practice squad. 

Melton is likely to be primarily a play on special teams, which is probably why he got the call over seventh-round pick Grant DuBose. 

Big Matchup: ‘War Daddy’ Jayden Reed vs. Brian Branch

Samori Toure is also likely to be active after being a healthy scratch for the last three games due to those injuries.

At running back, Robinson will join AJ Dillon and Patrick Taylor against the Lions with Aaron Jones out and Emanuel Wilson landing on injured reserve.

Robinson has bounced around the NFL after he ran for 1,000 yards during an All-Rookie 2020 season.

He spent time on the practice squad earlier in the year but was released to make room for Ellis Merriweather. Despite being released in favor of Merriweather earlier in the year, Robinson gets the call on Thursday.

Elevated: S Benny Sapp III, FB Henry Pearson

Sapp gets an elevation for a second consecutive week after a bit of a full-circle moment from a week ago. 

Sapp played on defense and special teams. With an injury to Rudy Ford, Sapp provided some extra depth on defense and special teams.

Darnell Savage was designated to return from injured reserve earlier this week, but it seems unlikely he'd play without a true practice under his belt.

Pearson's elevation comes with Josiah Deguara being doubtful with a hip injury. Deguara would not have practiced this week. This will be the first career game for the undrafted rookie from Appalachian State.

Placed on Injured Reserve: TE Luke Musgrave; RB Emanuel Wilson

In his media availability on Tuesday, Matt LaFleur revealed that Luke Musgrave had an injury that caused him to end up in the hospital. 

Later, a source told Packer Central that Musgrave sustained a lacerated kidney. The injury happened when Musgrave was tackled and landed on the football. 

"He’s got a pretty significant injury,” LaFleur said. “I think it just speaks to his toughness because he didn’t say anything all game, and then something came up.

“It’s been pretty significant. This kid is as tough as they come, and I think that was pretty evident coming out of that Denver game when he hurt his ankle. He was battling to get back into that game and wasn’t happy when they weren’t letting him back in." 

Luke Musgrave makes a catch :: Photo by Jeff Hanisch/USA Today Sports Images

Musgrave is going to be on the shelf for at least four games after being replaced on injured reserve. 

That will mean more opportunities for Tucker Kraft, who had a big catch and run in Sunday's win over the Chargers. 

“Tucker, you’ve seen the growth in him, making a huge play on a simple flat route and just showing his athleticism and his speed,” LaFleur said. 

“I think a lot of things, you don’t always see just the growth he’s had in the run game as well, as a blocker. It’s been evident. Certainly going to be more on his plate in this game." 

Wilson landed on injured reserve after suffering a shoulder injury on a reception late in the first half of Sunday's game. 

This season, Jordan Love is 22nd in rating and 31st in completion percentage. The last three games? Different story.

That leads off this week's #Packers Overreactions. 🔽https://t.co/AomVkALxm9

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) November 21, 2023