The Green Bay Packers lose receiver Dontayvion Wicks to a concussion for their playoff game against the Chicago Bears.
Dontayvion Wicks will not be playing in the Green Bay Packers' playoff game against their biggest rival, the Chicago Bears.
Wicks has been a versatile depth piece for the Packers as a guy who has comfortably slotted into the WR3 or WR4 role, depending on the game. He's a good route runner, and this season, he's shown off some really nice hands and the ability to make big plays when his number is called.
Unfortunately, for the Packers, Wicks will be out of this game due to a concussion.
He suffered the concussion in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens and still hasn't gotten through the NFL's concussion protocol.
He did practice in a limited capacity this week, but on Thursday, he was listed as questionable. He was downgraded by the Packers to "out" on Friday.
On the surface, this isn't an earth-shattering update for the Packers. As mentioned, Wicks has been down the depth chart for the entirety of his career in Green Bay. He has flashed the talent to be a true game-changer, but he's lacked the consistency.
For instance, both his touchdowns this season came in one game, when he caught six catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving.
This season, he's caught 30-of-46 targets for 332 yards and those two aforementioned touchdowns.
He's basically caught two passes per game on three targets a game. With that said, it does hurt to lose a player who absolutely has the talent to "go off" when the Packers need someone to step up.
Anything can happen in the playoffs, and an explosion from Wicks against the Bears would have been welcome.
In reality, what this means is that everyone else in the wide receiver room is going to have to do their jobs that much better.
Christian Watson has essentially become WR1 for the Packers. He needs to go out and play like it.
Romeo Doubs has the talent to put up multiple touchdowns on the board in any given game. The Packers need that guy to show up and not the one who muffed an onside kick the last time they were in Chicago.
Rookie wideout Matthew Golden caught just 29 passes for 361 yards and no touchdowns during the regular season. He's a first-round pick, and it's clear he has all the talent in the world. He just hasn't gotten an opportunity yet because of Green Bay's depth chart, but perhaps the injury to Wicks will clear some room for him to make plays.
At the end of the day, the NFL is a "next man up" league, and that's certainly the case in the playoffs.
The Packers can win this game without Wicks, but doesn't help their cause to lose him.