Packers elevate WR Bo Melton, LB Kristian Welch from practice squad for Week 1 - Packers Wire

The Green Bay Packers elevated wide receiver Bo Melton and linebacker Kristian Welch from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 1 of the 2026 season. Both Melton and Welch will be available for Matt LaFleur's team against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

Melton was released from the 53-man roster and signed back to the practice squad on Saturday. He will provide depth at wide receiver and a key player covering punts and kickoffs for Cam Achord's special teams. Melton is also the second kickoff return option alongside Skyy Moore.

Like Melton, Welch is up from the practice squad to help on special teams. The Wisconsin native is closing in on 1,500 career special teams snaps. He will also provide additional depth at linebacker, where Ty'Ron Hopper is questionable to play because of an Achilles injury. The guess here is Hopper will not play Sunday.

There were no pressing injury concerns to address in Week 1. Defensive lineman Warren Brinson has been ruled out, but the Packers have six other defensive tackles available on the 53-man roster. Along the offensive line, Zach Bako-Bewele and Aaron Banks are questionable to play, but the roster has 10 total offensive linemen and plenty of backup options.

The Packers did not elevate an edge rusher, so Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox Jr. and rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton will handle the job on Sunday.

Green Bay is going into Week 1 with 52 players on the roster and two practice squad callups. LaFleur will need to make six players inactive, including Brinson.

Teams can elevate up to two players from the practice squad each week. Players can be elevated three times, so Melton and Welch are both down to two elevations remaining for the 2026 season.