The Green Bay Packers are regaining one of their linebackers in time for their first-round playoff game against the Chicago Bears for Wild Card Weekend.
According to the team’s official transaction wire, the Packers activated linebacker Nick Niemann from injured reserve in a series of roster moves on Wednesday, January 8. They also officially ruled him questionable to play in the wild card against the Bears.
Niemann, 28, joined the Packers’ active roster after the 53-man roster cutdown in late August and recorded a team-high 11 special teams tackles in their first seven games before suffering a pectoral injury in Week 8’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is still among their leading special teams tacklers despite not playing since October 25.
While Niemann’s return is unlikely to add much on defense, the Packers would have five healthy linebackers available against the Bears if they were able to clear him.
The Packers will kick off against the Bears at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 10.
Packers Also Shut Down 2 WRs Among Roster Moves
Niemann’s activation is not the only roster move that the Packers made in preparation for their visit to Chicago for the first round of the 2025 NFL playoffs.
To clear a spot for Niemann on the 53-man roster, the Packers also placed Bo Melton — who has been a two-way player at wide receiver and cornerback in 2025 — on injured reserve, effectively ending his season. He hurt his knee on punt coverage in Week 18.
Additionally, the Packers shut down one of their practice-squad receivers, placing Will Sheppard on the practice squad/injured reserve list. The Packers briefly had Sheppard on their 53-man roster earlier in the season, but he has yet to play his first NFL game.
The Packers also signed rookie defensive lineman Anthony Campbell to their practice squad to take Sheppard’s place, giving them an intriguing developmental player for their defensive trenches who can be easily re-signed whenever their season concludes.
Will Packers Make More Moves Before Bears Kickoff?
The Packers have wrapped practice for the week and put out their final injury report for the wild-card matchup, but they could still make more roster moves before kickoff.
With kickoff not until 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, the Packers will have until 4 p.m. ET on the day of their wild-card game against the Bears to make any additional roster moves. That could mean shutting down more players on IR, or, more likely, they could choose to call upon at least one player from their practice squad as a game-day elevation.
Which players the Packers might elevate is unclear, but they do have six players listed as questionable on their injury report against the Bears, including Niemann (pectoral), nickel/safety Javon Bullard (knee), defensive lineman Warren Brinson (foot), right tackle Zach Tom (back/knee) and wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (concussion).
Wicks is one of the key names to watch in terms of potential elevations. With Melton and third-round rookie Savion Williams on IR, the Packers could decide to add more depth from their practice squad to their receiving corps if Wicks is unable to suit up. Rookies Isaiah Neyor and Kisean Johnson and second-year Julian Hicks are options.
Packers Activate LB, Shut Down WR in Roster Moves Before Bears Game