Julian Hicks, six-season college receiver with 1,708 yards and 23 TDs, signed with the Birmingham Stallions after a 2024 Packers stint that featured a preseason push and a year on the practice squad. At 6-2, 200 with a 9.18 RAS, Hicks brings notable athletic upside to generate NFL tape in the UFL.

The Stallions went 7-3 and reached the playoffs last season; the 2026 start date is TBA. Hicks will need standout UFL performances and special-teams impact to earn another NFL look, but his size and athletic profile keep him in the mix for a return.

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.