The Green Bay Packers could make several moves with wide receiver Bo Melton ahead of the team’s Week 1 matchup. Green Bay executed the first of those potential moves Friday.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on September 11 the Packers released Melton. The transaction came after Melton practiced with the team Friday, which was one of the reasons why the move was pretty surprising.
“Packers have released WR Bo Melton,” wrote Schefter on X.
However, ESPN’s Rob Demovsky and The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman both explained on X that the Packers plan to sign Melton to their practice squad and then promote him to the active roster for Week 1. If done, Melton will dress for Green Bay on Sunday versus the Minnesota Vikings.
“Yes, Bo Melton is going to be released. It’s a roster management thing and he is expected back, likely even before Sunday,” wrote Demovsky. “The Packers have done this with other players in the past (e.g. Tyrone Davis, Matt Orzech).”
“Melton will still play Sunday as a practice squad elevation and return to the 53 next week,” wrote Schneidman. “This is a roster management move by the Packers.
“Not exactly sure why, but Melton will remain with the team.”
Melton is entering his fourth full season with the Packers. The team signed him toward the end of the 2022 campaign.
Packers Release WR Bo Melton 2 Days Before Week 1
It’s unclear, even to the team’s insiders, why the Packers are preparing to do a series of roster moves with Melton prior to the season opener. Schneidman put it best with his “not sure why” assertion on social media.
There doesn’t appear to be an obvious advantage to having Melton dress as a practice squad elevation rather than a member of the 53-man roster. There’s also risk involved with the idea, as the wideout has to clear waivers to join the Green Bay practice squad.
But as Demovsky explained, it’s something the team has done successfully in the past.
After the Packers complete their series of roster moves with Melton, the wideout will assume the same role he had previously. Melton will offer depth at wide receiver and versatility as a special teams contributor. Last season, he returned 19 kickoffs for 467 yards. Melton also covered punts and kickoffs.
The wide receiver started his career as a seventh-round pick for the Seattle Seahawks. Melton, though, never played for the Seahawks and has only dressed for the Packers in the regular season.
The Packers have deployed Melton on all three units over the last four years. He hasn’t received any snaps at cornerback in the regular season, but the team tried out Melton in the secondary last year.
At receiver, Melton has posted 28 catches, 416 yards and two touchdowns in 38 career games.
The Packers will visit the Vikings in an intriguing Week 1 NFC North showdown on Sunday. Kickoff will occur at 3:25 pm CT.
Packers Release Versatile WR With Another Move Expected: Report