Report: Packers WR Romeo Doubs is unhappy with his role on the team

Before Christian Watson's ankle injury on Sunday, the Green Bay Packers had Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks heavily rotating on their receiver unit. According to a report by Sports IllustratedBill Huber, at least one of those pass catchers, Doubs, is unhappy with the split snaps.

Huber explained in his recent article that Doubs, who did not attend the Packers' last two practices in the week leading up to their game against the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday, was actually found at his apartment by “team representatives.” when he didn't show up for practice on Thursday. On Friday, head coach Matt LaFleur said the team would address Doubs' situation, which up to this point was simply described as a personal matter, “day by day.” However, LaFleur said he hoped Doubs would be ready to practice Friday after Doubs was absent Thursday.

Officially, the Packers have listed Doubs and Watson as questionable for play on Sunday. If the team loses both receivers, Green Bay leaves Reed, Wicks, Malik Heath and Bo Melton on the 53-man roster, although they also have three practice squad options at receiver for a game-day raise. If Doubs won't play on Sunday, we'll likely have an idea on Saturday afternoon when the Packers have to announce their rankings for the week.

According to NFL Pro, Doubs leads the team with 115 routes run in 2024, including two games with backup quarterback Malik Willis, but he trails slot receiver Jayden Reed and tight end Tucker Kraft in receptions. Currently, Reed is the most productive slot receiver in the NFL.

From a yards per route perspective, Doubs averages 1.38 yards per route, Reed 3.5, Wicks 1.3 and Watson 1.53. Aside from Reed's stellar production, Doubs is producing at about the same clip per game as Wicks and Watson this season. With 19 targets under his belt, Doubs ranks third on the Packers in this metric in 2024. Leaguewide, 19 targets is good for a tie for the 67th player in the NFL over four weeks, but that includes two games in which Willis threw 33 times combined over those starts.

When Jordan Love was on the field, and he is now, Doubs was anything but a decoy. For comparison, Reed and Wicks lead the Packers with 22 goals, just three more than Doubs in 2024.

Green Bay's game plan against the Rams could include a heavy dose of Wicks, who has had an unusually high number of route count targets since joining the Packers. If Doubs is frustrated, according to the Huber reporter, it could be because of his role on the team post-Watson and not the one he has played up to this point this season.