The Green Bay Packers are releasing tight end Ben Sims on Saturday, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN, likely to open a roster spot for the activation of wide receiver Christian Watson from the physically unable to perform list ahead of Sunday’s showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Packers’ roster is at capacity, so a corresponding move would be required to activate Watson. It appears releasing Sims is the move.
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Sims, a third-year tight end, played in all 17 games for the Packers in both 2023 and 2024, but he’s been active for only three games in 2025. The Packers have Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave and John FitzPatrick dominating snaps at tight end.
The decision to release Sims not only suggests Watson will be activated but also signals that the team will keep kicker Lucas Havrisik on the 53-man roster through Sunday, meaning there is still a decision to be made on who will kick — Havrisik or Brandon McManus — against the Steelers. McManus has missed back-to-back games and is questionable with a right quad injury for Sunday. Havrisik is 10-for-10 on kicks, including a 61-yard field goal, over the last two games.
Watson, who is also listed as questionable, appeared to signal his return was coming Sunday with a social media post on Friday. The fourth-year receiver has been out of action since tearing his ACL in the regular season finale on Jan. 5.
Watson’s return will give the Packers a versatile deep threat for the rest of the 2025 season. It also comes at a good time — Jayden Reed is on injured reserve, Dontayvion Wicks is out with a calf injury and Matthew Golden is dealing with a new hip injury suffered in practice to end the week, so Watson could be asked to play an important role right away on Sunday night.
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The Packers will announce official roster moves and any gameday elevations from the practice squad later on Saturday.
The Packers and Steelers are scheduled or a 7:20 p.m. CT kickoff from Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on “Sunday Night Football.”
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers releasing TE Ben Sims, opening roster for WR Christian Watson?
