In a move that’s both hopeful and intriguing, the Green Bay Packers have signed wide receiver Michael Woods II to their practice squad, adding a player whose journey has been marked by adversity and untapped potential. But here’s where it gets controversial: is this a calculated risk worth taking, or a desperate move for a team grappling with injuries?** While the NFL world was buzzing with blockbuster trades—like Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner and Quinnen Williams changing teams—the Packers quietly made a play for a former sixth-round pick whose career has been anything but smooth sailing.
Woods’ story is one of setbacks and resilience. After a modest rookie season in 2022, where he caught just five passes for 45 yards, his world turned upside down when he suffered a ruptured Achilles during an offseason workout in April 2023. As if that wasn’t enough, he was slapped with a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, derailing his momentum further. And this is the part most people miss: despite these challenges, Woods showed glimpses of promise during the 2023 preseason, hauling in seven passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns across three games—a performance that hinted at his untapped potential.
His return from suspension in December 2023 was short-lived, with just seven catches for 65 yards over six games. The Cleveland Browns ultimately released him with an injury designation after he failed a physical at the start of this year’s training camp. Now healthy and hungry, Woods gets a fresh start with the Packers, who are betting on his talent to bolster a receiving corps decimated by injuries.
Speaking of injuries, the Packers’ receiver room is in crisis mode. Dontayvion Wicks has missed the last two games with a calf injury, Jayden Reed is on injured reserve following foot and shoulder surgeries, and Matthew Golden recently suffered a shoulder injury in the loss to the Carolina Panthers. Head coach Matt LaFleur described Golden’s injury as day-to-day, but the team’s depth is undeniably thin. Here’s the burning question: Can Woods step up and make an impact, or will he be just another footnote in the Packers’ injury-plagued season?
Woods joins practice squad receivers Jakobie Keeney-James, Isaiah Neyor, and Will Sheppard, adding another layer of competition to the mix. For general manager Brian Gutekunst, this is a low-risk, high-reward move—a chance to revive a career while addressing an urgent need. But in a league where every decision is scrutinized, this signing is sure to spark debate.
What do you think? Is Michael Woods II a hidden gem waiting to shine, or a long shot that won’t pan out? Let us know in the comments below!
