CHICAGO — The Green Bay Packers finalized their game-day roster late Saturday, completing preparations for a highly anticipated NFC wild-card matchup against the Chicago Bears under the lights at Soldier Field.

With postseason football comes heightened scrutiny of every roster decision, and Green Bay’s final transactions reflected both necessity and calculated risk as the Packers positioned themselves for a win-or-go-home divisional showdown.

Saturday’s moves included one notable elevation from the practice squad, along with several decisions not to elevate certain players, choices that could significantly impact depth, flexibility, and in-game contingencies.

Among the roster adjustments, the most prominent addition was the elevation of wide receiver Isaiah Neyor, a move driven largely by injuries that thinned Green Bay’s receiving corps at a critical moment.

At the top of the depth chart, the Packers remain well-stocked with Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Matthew Golden all expected to play meaningful roles in the passing attack.

However, circumstances quickly changed as Dontayvion Wicks, who missed last week due to a concussion, was listed as questionable before ultimately being downgraded to out on Friday.

Compounding the issue, Bo Melton and Savion Williams were recently placed on injured reserve, further limiting Green Bay’s available options at wide receiver.

With practice-squad receiver Will Sheppard also landing on injured reserve, the Packers were left with few realistic alternatives beyond elevating Neyor for Saturday night’s game.

Isaiah Neyor, an undrafted rookie, enters the postseason with impressive physical traits but no regular-season NFL experience, making his elevation both intriguing and uncertain.

During the preseason, Neyor was targeted across four games but failed to record a catch, leaving his in-game readiness largely untested at the professional level.

Physically, however, Neyor checks nearly every box scouts look for, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 218 pounds with elite straight-line speed.

His 4.40 time in the 40-yard dash helped him earn a Relative Athletic Score of 9.90, the fourth-highest among wide receivers in this year’s draft class.

That athletic profile has long made Neyor a high-upside developmental prospect despite his limited professional résumé.

Neyor’s collegiate career offered flashes of elite production, particularly during his time at Wyoming, where he emerged as a deep-threat standout.

After a modest start with eight receptions across his first two seasons, Neyor exploded in 2021, hauling in 44 passes for 878 yards.

He led the Mountain West Conference with 12 touchdown receptions that season and averaged an eye-popping 20.0 yards per catch.

Following that breakout year, Neyor transferred to Texas, but his momentum stalled after he suffered a torn ACL before making a meaningful impact.

He later finished his college career at Nebraska, recording 34 receptions for 455 yards and five touchdowns while working back to full health.

Throughout training camp, Neyor emphasized his willingness to contribute in any capacity necessary to earn playing time.

“I just want to show them that I can make plays,” Neyor said. “Whether it’s blocking, special teams, or making big catches, I want to provide that for the team.”

Despite Neyor’s elevation, Jakobie Keeney-James, who was signed to the 53-man roster for last week’s regular-season finale against the Vikings, remains on the roster as well.

While Green Bay added Neyor, one of the more surprising decisions came at tight end, where the Packers opted not to elevate Drake Dabney from the practice squad.

The tight end position has been under strain for weeks, particularly after Josh Whyle entered the concussion protocol and John FitzPatrick suffered a season-ending torn Achilles.

Those injuries forced the Packers to rely heavily on Luke Musgrave, who has essentially operated as the lone healthy tight end in recent weeks.

Green Bay previously opted to carry just two tight ends during their Week 16 loss at Chicago, a gamble that tested depth and durability.

In the last two games, the Packers returned to carrying three tight ends, elevating Dabney for matchups against the Ravens and Vikings.

Against Minnesota in Week 18, with coach Matt LaFleur resting several starters, Dabney played 45 snaps, accounting for 88.2 percent of offensive plays.

He caught one pass in that contest, gaining valuable experience while serving as a reliable blocking presence.

Despite that recent usage, Green Bay chose not to elevate Dabney again for the playoff matchup, instead rolling the dice on Musgrave and Whyle staying healthy.

Adding to the intrigue, the Packers re-signed Messiah Swinson to the practice squad earlier this week.

Swinson, an undrafted free agent in 2024, spent time competing for roster spots with Green Bay over the past two seasons.

After being released earlier this year, he logged practice-squad stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals before returning to familiar territory.

Known primarily as a physical blocker, Swinson brings system familiarity but limited receiving upside, making him a situational option rather than a true replacement.

In emergency scenarios, Green Bay has also leaned on offensive tackle Darian Kinnard to take snaps as an extra tight end.

That approach has been used since Tucker Kraft tore his ACL, though Kinnard offers little as a receiving threat.

Another notable non-move came at linebacker, where the Packers declined to elevate undrafted rookie Jamon Johnson despite an impressive performance last week.

Johnson received extended playing time against Minnesota after Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper were rested.

He played all 67 defensive snaps, added 14 special teams plays, and finished with a game-high 10 tackles and one pass breakup.

Johnson’s performance showcased range, instincts, and tackling reliability, raising questions about whether he might earn a postseason role.

Instead, the Packers’ decision likely signals confidence in special-teams standout Nick Niemann as the fifth linebacker.

Niemann returns after missing significant time with a torn pectoral injury and was activated from injured reserve earlier this week.

Before his injury, Niemann recorded 11 special-teams tackles in eight games and established himself as a core contributor in that phase.

“That’s kind of how I made a name for myself in the league,” Niemann said recently, reflecting on his role.

He emphasized team success over personal milestones, expressing optimism about contributing during a playoff run.

On the opposing sideline, the Bears also finalized roster moves ahead of Saturday night’s matchup.

Most notably, Chicago activated defensive back Kyler Gordon from injured reserve at the deadline.

With C.J. Gardner-Johnson sidelined due to a concussion, Gordon is expected to step in as the Bears’ primary nickel defender.

Gordon has appeared in just three games this season after suffering a groin injury prior to Week 14 at Lambeau Field.

He was subsequently placed on injured reserve, limiting his availability during a critical stretch of the season.

Despite limited action in 2025, Gordon brings experience and playmaking ability to Chicago’s secondary.

As a rookie in 2022, Gordon intercepted three passes, adding two more interceptions during the 2023 season.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur spoke highly of Gordon’s skill set, noting his experience and versatility inside.

“He’s a very experienced veteran that’s played primarily inside,” LaFleur said.

LaFleur acknowledged that Gordon’s return eases some defensive stress, particularly with Gardner-Johnson unavailable.

As kickoff approaches, both teams enter the wild-card matchup navigating injuries, depth challenges, and high-stakes roster decisions.

For Green Bay, the elevation of Isaiah Neyor and the decision to limit tight end depth reflect a belief in versatility and health.

For Chicago, Gordon’s return provides stability in the secondary against a Packers offense seeking explosive plays.

In a rivalry defined by physicality and unpredictability, these final roster decisions could quietly shape the outcome of Saturday night’s playoff battle.

With postseason pressure amplifying every snap, the margin for error is thin, and each personnel choice may prove decisive under the bright lights of Chicago.

The stage is set for a tense NFC wild-card showdown where preparation, depth, and adaptability will determine which season continues and which one ends.