GREEN BAY — Matthew Golden has officially settled on No. 0 for his jersey number, but it’s safe to say there’s a non-zero chance of the Green Bay Packers first-round pick having a meaningful role in Sunday’s regular-season opener against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field.
With Jayden Reed dealing with a foot injury that kept him from practicing on Wednesday, Dontayvion Wicks coming off a calf injury that sidelined him for three weeks during training camp and Christian Watson on the physically unable to perform list, Golden will not only make his NFL debut Sunday, he figures to be a key cog in the Packers’ offensive operation.
“I’m just looking forward to the first game of the season,” Golden said after practice Wednesday. “I feel I got a good grasp of the offense, all around — not just one position but inside, outside, and just the small details.
“I feel like those small details, it brings you a long way. That’s one thing that I adjusted to when I got to the NFL.”
If Reed isn’t able to go or is limited, and if quarterback Jordan Love doesn’t have his usual chemistry with Wicks because of the time each of them missed in camp, the Packers offense has other weapons in the passing game, particularly tight end Tucker Kraft and fourth-year receiver Romeo Doubs.
But while Love emphasized that the Packers don’t need Golden to carry the passing game alone, he clearly expects Golden to be a factor.
“He doesn’t have to carry the team at all,” Love said. “What he’s done [throughout training camp] is just make plays when the ball comes his way. Especially at that receiver position, that’s all you can do.
“He’s done a great job throughout camp, and I’m excited to see him once we get started on Sunday. But I don’t think there’s ever too much pressure on him to go out there and put the team on his back. Just go out there and play your game.
“We’ve got other guys. It’s not all on MG.”
As for the number switch, Golden said he wanted a single digit. He settled for No. 22 after the draft because No. 2 was already occupied by backup quarterback Malik Willis, but once he learned No. 0 was open and he could switch without any penalty or cost.
“I talked to my family, and [the Packers] told me the options that I had and they said 0’s never been worn here,” So, obviously, it’s going to be a first-time in franchise history. For me, I just want to make a name for myself in that number.”
The need for Reed | Reed, who is dealing with a Jones fracture in his left foot, did not practice Wednesday, and it’s unclear what the Packers’ plan is for him this week. He said it is a matter of pain management, and when asked how painful it is, he replied with a smile, “It depends on what I’m doing.”
Well, how about playing football?
“I mean, once my adrenaline is running, I’m fine most of the time,” said Reed, who sat out three full weeks of practice hoping the rest would calm the injury down. “It’s probably afterwards where I feel it the most. While I’m out there running during the play my adrenalines running pretty well, I don’t feel it as much.”
Health watch | In addition to Reed, cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee) also did not practice. He and Reed were the only two players not to take part in any portion of Wednesday’s work.
The Packers listed Wicks (calf), center Elgton Jenkins (hip), safety Zayne Anderson (knee), defensive end Barryn Sorrell (knee), wide receiver Savion Williams (hamstring) and defensive end Micah Parsons (back) as limited participants.
Parsons plan | Parsons, who took part in Monday’s practice on a limited basis as well, appears poised to make his Packers debut after last week’s trade that sent him from the Dallas Cowboys to Green Bay in exchange for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
Still, head coach Matt LaFleur was keeping Parsons’ status murky.
“We’ll see. He’s doing everything in his power [to be ready to play],” LaFleur said. “He’s rehabbing hard. We’ve got to get through a couple practices to see how he responds, to see how he does. But [we’re] certainly hopeful.”
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