Packers coach Matt LaFleur doesn’t rule out Trevon Diggs playing vs. Vikings
GREEN BAY – Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur had yet to meet new cornerback Trevon Diggs when he attended his pre-practice news conference on Jan. 1.
But that doesn’t mean the former Dallas Cowboys starter won’t play in the regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium on Jan. 4.
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LaFleur said he spoke with Diggs on the phone after the Packers claimed him off waivers and said the coaches would work to get him up to speed on the defensive plan as quickly as possible. Diggs was still undergoing treatment, meaning he may still have to pass his physical, but it’s possible he was in practice.
“I think he’s a guy that definitely has a lot of experience and has played at a very high level,” LaFleur said. “[I] I haven’t studied it outside of the game we played against them at the start of the season. I know he’s been in and out of the lineup a little bit, but [a] a guy who has incredible talent.
“He has a great ability to get the ball and do something with it, so we’re excited to get him here.”
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs reacts following a game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Cowboys released Diggs after he failed to return to Dallas on the team plane following a Dec. 25 game at Washington. Diggs wanted to stay in the D.C. area, where he grew up, but coach Brian Schottenheimer denied his request. Diggs did not board the plane and the Cowboys released him shortly afterward.
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Diggs is friends with former Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons and was at Alabama at the same time as Xavier McKinney, so general manager Brian Gutekunst might think Green Bay would give him a soft landing, especially since the Packers won’t be required to secure guaranteed money in the coming years.
He’ll cost the Packers $472,222 for Week 18, but after that he’ll only get playoff money. He’s expected to make a maximum of $15.5 million next year, but that’s not guaranteed and the Packers could fire him before the start of the 2026 season without any salary cap consequences.
LaFleur intends to rest some players and it’s possible cornerback Keisean Nixon could be one of them. The Packers added cornerbacks Jaylin Simpson and Shemar Bartholomew from the practice squad, but they may want to take on Diggs to see if he can help them in the playoffs.
LaFleur said Parsons was scheduled to return to town Jan. 2 after repairing his ACL in California.
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Flurry of trades helps LaFleur fill out roster against Vikings
Since Dec. 30, the Packers have made 11 changes that affect their 53-player roster and four that affect their practice squad.
Missing from the 53-man roster are cornerback Kamal Hadden, defensive tackle Jordon Riley, safety Zayne Anderson and cornerback Nate Hobbs, who were placed on injured reserve, and defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna, who was released.
Added to the 53 were defensive tackle Jonathan Ford, who was claimed off waivers from the Chicago Bears, and quarterback Clayton Tune, safety Johnathan Baldwin, Bartholomew and Simpson, who were signed from the practice squad, and Diggs, who was claimed off waivers.
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Additionally, the Packers signed running back Damien Martinez, guard Karsen Barnhart, cornerback Tyron Herring and quarterback Desmond Ridder to the practice squad.
LaFleur must build a 48-man roster per day from the 53 rostered players and a 17-player practice squad. He can elevate up to two practice squad players without having to sign them at 53.
LaFleur is going to want to rest starters in a game that means nothing for the Packers in the standings or the playoffs, but he can only make five to seven inactive. Some may dress and not play, but with special teams needs, LaFleur can’t rest too many active players.
“It’s been a week with a lot of moving parts,” LaFleur said. “I’ve never been a part of anything like this, as far as the injuries that happened in the last game, and that’s the price of doing business sometimes.
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“You just have to make the most of it and try to acclimate these guys as quickly as possible.”
Another possible addition to the 53-man roster could be linebacker Nick Niemann, who was designated to return from injured reserve on December 31. There is a three-week window in which he can practice fully against the 53, but LaFleur said he hopes Niemann will be available soon.
The Packers would have to create a spot at the 53 to make room for him.
Bo Melton could rack up a lot of snaps against the Vikings
Given his potential to be three players in one, wide receiver/cornerback/special teamer Bo Melton could be one of the most active players on the field at US Bank Stadium.
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Melton was moved from receiver to cornerback in the offseason, but he has been used most on offense and special teams this season.
Melton played one snap on defense, 83 snaps on offense and 182 snaps on special teams. His special teams duties include returning kickoffs, as well as blocking and covering punts.
“I mean, you can’t make this up, can you?” LaFleur said. “He’s done an exceptional job, and I think it all starts with his approach to the game, accepting any challenge and tackling it head on. I can’t say enough good things about Bo Melton, the type of competitor he is, and I just never want to leave him behind.”
Asked if he could envision a scenario in which he returns a kickoff, catches a pass and returns an interception for touchdowns, LaFleur responded: “That would be a hell of a Sunday. Let’s make it happen.”
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Rookie receiver Savion Williams remains a question mark
The Packers weren’t able to develop third-round pick Savion Williams the way they wanted.
Williams suffered a concussion, hamstring, groin and foot injuries and missed last week’s game due to illness.
The foot injury was the most debilitating and caused him to miss three straight games before illness struck last weekend. LaFleur wasn’t sure he could return for the Vikings.
“I would love to have him back,” LaFleur said. “I mean, he was hobbled for several weeks, and to compound that, last week he was really sick. So, there were a lot of factors to that. We’re still working on that. [for this week].”
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Defensive end/linebacker Collin Oliver likely to debut
The Packers expect to see rookie Collin Oliver against the Vikings.
Oliver, who tore his hamstring during the NFL scouting party and was not cleared to practice until Dec. 1, was designated to return from injured reserve before the Baltimore game. However, it was inactive.
LaFleur said Oliver will likely be active this week.
Oliver will play on special teams, but it could be a play to find out if he can add anything as a passer. He had 11½ sacks as a freshman at Oklahoma State when he played exclusively at end and was drafted as a hybrid linebacker and third-down pass rusher.
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers coach Matt LaFleur indicates Trevon Diggs could play against the Vikings.
