Green Bay’s Matthew Golden, Emanuel Wilson, Israel Abanikanda and Malik Willis headline a jersey-number reshuffle that mirrors a broader shift in the Packers’ roster dynamics. Golden’s move to 0 marks the first time GB has seen that digit worn, underscoring the team’s willingness to experiment with its inexperienced playmakers. Wilson shifts to 23, while Abanikanda lands 28 after a summer stint with the number, and Willis slides into 2 as the backup quarterback.

For fantasy managers, the numbers are a side note to potential opportunity. Golden arriving as a top pick signals a real chance for expanded targets if he secures a clear role in a crowded receiver group. Wilson’s 23 and Abanikanda’s 28 could carve out specialized roles behind the veterans, while Willis’ QB2 status adds speculative upside if injuries arise. Track how training camp reps translate into early-season opportunity.

In short, the Packers’ digit shuffle reads as a microcosm of a rising-internal mobility trend: players moving into flexible roles, with coaches signaling openness to unconventional paths to fantasy relevance. The rookie and depth-chart implications feel more consequential than the sparkle of a new jersey number.

Green Bay will begin signing players to the 2025 practice squad after the waiver window closes, with the league allowing 16 spots (17 for International Pathway). After Tuesday’s 32-cut sweep, Green Bay will quickly fill the practice squad ahead of finalizing the 53-man roster, shifting to a 69-70 player mix depending on IP Pathway retention.

Notable names tied to the Packers’ practice-squad moves include Sean Clifford, Mecole Hardman, Israel Abanikanda and Cornelius Johnson. Clifford and Hardman bring NFL experience; Abanikanda and Johnson provide upside and youth, creating early-name targets for fantasy managers as rotations and elevations develop. Monitor these signings for Week 1 impact possibilities and IP-slot implications.

Green Bay withstood a sloppy first half and stormed back in the second, turning a 13-3 halftime deficit into a 23-19 preseason win over the Colts. The storylines leaned heavy toward the Packers’ depth pieces: Israel Abanikanda and Amar Johnson ground out inside-the-10 scores, Sean Clifford’s late 11-yard scramble sealed it, and Jordan Morgan continued to shine at left tackle as the backups shined in relief. Special-teams standout punts, a clean second half with reduced penalties, and a 1-1 preseason mark showcased a Packers team building depth for 2025.

Penalties and a turnover miscue lingered from the first half, but Green Bay tightened up after halftime, trimming the penalty basket and creating more consistent drives. Mecole Hardman and Malik Heath rebounded after rough Opener performances, while Daniel Whelan pinned Colts inside the 20 on three punts, flipping field position on a towering 59-yarder. The game highlighted a Packers roster flush with competition and a developing group of backs and receivers ready to push for roles once the regular season arrives.

Green Bay’s depth shined in a 23-19 preseason win over Indianapolis as the Packers erased an 11-point first-half deficit behind a late Sean Clifford touchdown drive and three second-half scores. The backup unit held Colts starters to minimal damage on two early drives, with the defense batting down four passes and forcing a solid situational day. The run game clicked behind Israel Abanikanda, MarShawn Lloyd and Emanuel Wilson, while Taylor Elgersma showed NFL-caliber arm in an improving passing attack. Penalties haunted the first half (11), and no Packers takeaway kept the turnover trend intact, but the tape offered valuable roster clarity as final cuts loom and joint practices with Seattle approach.

Among the standout depth contributors were Israel Abanikanda and the two rookie-tailored pass-catch options, plus Mecole Hardman’s dependable punt work and Malik Heath’s traffic-catching ability. Clifford steered the late rally, converting a fourth down and delivering the decisive drive that finally pushed Green Bay ahead. On the other side, the Colts answered with Richardson-led early drives before the Packers’ depth stabilized, leaving observers to weigh which second-tier players earned real 53-man spots and which might be allocated to practice squad depth ahead of the final week of camp.

Green Bay waived Jalen White with an injury designation to clear a roster spot for Tyrion Davis-Price ahead of a trip to Indianapolis for joint practices with the Colts. White, undrafted from Georgia Southern, left the preseason game with a foot injury and was not practicing. Davis-Price, a veteran back who was a 2022 third-rounder for the 49ers, provides immediate depth and a capable every-down complement for a Packers room facing multiple health concerns. Israel Abanikanda also missed practice with a hamstring issue, while Emanuel Wilson (knee) and MarShawn Lloyd (groin) just returned to 11-on-11s, underscoring the short-term urgency at RB. The team faces two big events this week—joint practices and a preseason game against the Colts—as it evaluates options and potential short-term roles for newly signed and returning backs.