PACKERS SUSPEND WR ROMEO DOUBS FOR GAME AGAINST THE RAMS FOR DELIBERATELY MISSING PRACTICES
The Green Bay Packers have suspended third-year wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who missed two practices this week, for their game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. The Packers made the announcement shortly before the team’s departure for California on Saturday morning.
The 6-foot-2, 204-pound wide receiver has officially been placed on the reserve/suspended list for one game for what the club termed as “conduct detrimental to the team.”
“Unfortunately, we had to make the difficult decision to suspend Romeo for this week’s game,” said Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst in a statement released by the team. “His decisions and actions during the week negatively impacted the team and required us to take this action.”
“While we are certainly disappointed, we are confident that we will be able to move forward in a positive manner. Romeo is a valuable member of our team and we look forward to welcoming him back next week.”
Thought to have deliberately missed two days of practices and meetings last week, Doubs reportedly informed the team of his frustration with his involvement in the team’s offence, or lack thereof. The Packers initially explained the standout wide receiver’s absence was for personal reasons, as Head Coach Matt LaFleur told reporters that Doubs’ availability for Sunday’s game was considered as “day to day.”
A full participant in Wednesday’s practice, the first of the week in preparation for the Rams, Doubs was a no-show on Thursday. He reportedly also didn’t report on Friday and wasn’t present when reporters were allowed to watch practice. It’s unclear if he came to the team facility on Saturday before the team took the flight to Los Angeles.
However, as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Saturday, there’s an expectation that things have moved in a positive direction after a frustrating week, with Doubs expected to rejoin the team next week.
The former Nevada Wolf Pack alumnus ranks second on the team with 20 receptions for 169 yards this year but has still yet to score a touchdown through the first four games of the season. Green Bay, however, played half of those games without starting quarterback Jordan Love, who was hurt in Week 1 in Sao Paulo, Brazil in the 34-29 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Backup quarterback Malik Willis took over the reins for Weeks 2 and 3, as the team earned hard-fought wins against Indianapolis and at Tennessee by attacking with a run-heavy set. Love’s return last week saw Doubs get the second-most looks in the team after he was targeted 8 times from a season-high 54 pass attempts. Doubs caught only half of his targets though (4) for 39 receiving yards. Only second-year wide receiver, Dontayvion Wicks, had more targets (13).
The most targeted receiver on the Packers last year with 96 targets, Doubs finished second on the team behind Jayden Reed with 59 receptions for 674 yards and eight touchdowns. Reed had 64 catches from 94 targets for 793 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Green Bay is coming off of a deflating 31-29 divisional loss to the Minnesota Vikings at home last week and intend to get back on track this week with a win on the west coast. The Packers will not only lack Doubs for their matchup against the Rams but also standout wide receiver Christian Watson, who has since come into his own since his rookie year in 2022. Watson sprained his left ankle on Sunday in the game against the Vikings and was officially listed as doubtful on Friday.
Doubs is the second Packers player suspended by the team in the past year, following All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander’s suspension in December last season. Alexander also served a one-game suspension without pay for conduct detrimental to the team after he went on to the field for the coin toss before kick off in a game against the Carolina Panthers.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
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