Packers coach Matt LaFleur doesn’t rule out Trevon Diggs playing vs. Vikings

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GREEN BAY – Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur had yet to meet new cornerback Trevon Diggs when he took part in his pre-practice news conference 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 U.S. Bank Stadium on Jan. 4.

LaFleur said he spoke with Diggs on the phone after the Packers claimed him on waivers and said the coaches would work to get him up to speed with the defensive scheme as quickly as possible. Diggs still was going through processing, which means he may still need to pass his physical, but it’s possible he’ll be at practice.

“I think he's a guy that certainly has a ton of experience and has played at a really high level,” LaFleur said. “[I] have not studied him outside of the game that we played against them going into the season. I know he's been in and out of the lineup a little bit, but [a] guy that has incredible talent.

“He's got a great ability to take the ball away and do something with it. So, we're excited to get him in here.”

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs reacts following a play against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Cowboys released Diggs after he did not return to Dallas on the team plane following a Dec. 25 game in Washington. Diggs wanted to remain 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 a short while later.

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 feel Green Bay would offer a soft landing for him, especially given the Packers won’t be on the hook for any guaranteed money in future years.

He will cost the Packers $472,222 for Week 18, but after that he will receive only playoff money. He’s due to make a maximum of $15.5 million next year, but it is not guaranteed and the Packers could cut him before the 2026 season starts without any salary-cap ramifications.

LaFleur intends to rest some players and it’s possible cornerback Keisean Nixon will be one of them. The Packers added cornerbacks Jaylin Simpson and Shemar Bartholomew from the practice squad, but they may want to play Diggs to see if he can help them in the playoffs.

LaFleur said Parsons is due back in town Jan. 2 after having his ACL repaired in California.

Flurry of transactions help LaFleur fill out his roster vs. Vikings

Since Dec. 30, the Packers have made 11 roster moves that affect their 53-man roster and four that affect their practice squad.

Gone 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.

In addition, the Packers signed running back Damien Martinez, guard Karsen Barnhart, cornerback Tyron Herring and quarterback Desmond Ridder to the practice squad.

LaFleur must construct a 48-man game-day roster out of the 53 rostered players and 17-man practice squad. He can elevate up to two players from the practice squad without having to sign them to the 53.

LaFleur is going to want to rest starters in a game that means nothing to the Packers in the standings or playoff seedings, but he can make only five to seven inactive. Some may dress and not play, but with special-teams needs, LaFleur can’t rest too many who are active.

“It’s been a week with a lot of moving parts,” LaFleur said. “I've never been a part of something like this, in regards to just the injuries that occurred in last game, and that's sometimes, that's the price of doing business.

“You’ve just got to make the best of it and try to get these guys acclimated 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 Dec. 31. There is a three-week window in which he can practice without counting against the 53, but LaFleur said he hoped Niemann would be available soon.

The Packers would have to create a spot on the 53 to make room for him.

Bo Melton could rack up a lot of snaps vs. Vikings

Given he has the potential to be three players in one, receiver/cornerback/special-teamer Bo Melton may be one of the most-active players on the field at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Melton was moved from receiver to cornerback in the offseason, but he has been used on offense and special teams the most this season.

Melton has played one snap on defense, 83 snaps on offense and 182 snaps on special teams. His special-teams assignments include returning kickoffs, and blocking and covering on punts.

“I mean, you can't make it up, right?” LaFleur said. “He's done an outstanding job, and I think it all starts with his approach to the game, to accepting any challenge and just attacking it head on. I can't say enough great things, just about Bo Melton, the type of competitor he is, and just never want to count him out.”

Asked if he could see a scenario in which he returns a kickoff, catches a pass and returns an interception for touchdowns, LaFleur said, “That would be a hell of a Sunday. Let’s make it happen.”

Rookie receiver Savion Williams remains a question mark

The Packers have not been able to develop third-round draft pick Savion Williams the way they have wanted.

Williams has battled concussion, hamstring, groin and foot injuries and missed last week’s game due to illness.

The foot injury has been the most debilitating and caused him to miss three straight games before illness struck last weekend. LaFleur wasn’t sure if he’d be able to return for the Vikings.

“Would love to get him back,” LaFleur said. “I mean, he’s been hobbled for multiple weeks, and to compound that, last week he was really sick. So, there was a lot of factors in that. We’re still kind of working that [for this week].”

Defensive end/linebacker Collin Oliver likely to make debut

The Packers expect to get a look at rookie Collin Oliver against the Vikings.

Oliver, who tore his hamstring at the NFL scouting combine and wasn’t allowed to practice until Dec. 1, was designated to return from injured reserve before the Baltimore game. However, he was inactive.

LaFleur said Oliver likely will be active this week.

Oliver will play some special teams, but this could be a game to find out whether he can add something as a pass rusher. 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 might play vs Vikings

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