The Packers suspend Romeo Doubs for one game for missing practice

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Packers have suspended wide receiver Romeo Doubs for one game for misconduct. The Packers made the announcement shortly before their departure for Sunday's game at the Los Angeles Rams.

The suspension came after Doubs missed two days of training and meetings. The team initially cited personal reasons for his absence, but Sports Illustrated reported that Doubs was unhappy with his chances in the passing game.

Neither Doubs nor his agent responded to messages, but sources said his absence was not injury-related or due to a family matter.

“Unfortunately, we had to make the difficult decision to suspend Romeo for this week’s game,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said in a statement Saturday. “His decisions and actions during the week had a negative impact on the team and required us to take these actions. While we are certainly disappointed, we are confident that we will be able to move forward positively. Romeo is a valuable member of our team and we look forward to welcoming him back next week.”

A day before the suspension, Doubs was listed as doubtful on the game status report and coach Matt LaFleur described the wide receiver's status as “day-to-day.”

Doubs attended Wednesday's practice, the first of the week in preparation for the Rams, but then did not report to the team facility on Thursday. He was also not present on Friday when reporters were allowed to watch training. It was unclear whether he came to the team facility Saturday before the team was scheduled to fly to California.

The Packers are expected to be without wide receiver Christian Watson on Sunday after he sprained his left ankle in last Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Watson was listed as doubtful on Friday.

Doubs ranks second on the team with 20 catches for 169 yards, but has yet to score a touchdown in four games this season. The Packers played two of those games without starting quarterback Jordan Love (knee injury) and followed run-heavy game plans in both contests. Backup quarterback Malik Willis attempted just 33 passes in the two games, but the Packers (2-2) won both.

In Love's return on Sunday, the Packers threw the ball 54 times and eight of those scores went to Doubs, who caught four passes for 39 yards. Only one wide receiver (Dontayvion Wicks with 13 targets) was thrown for more than Doubs.

One of the biggest storylines of this past offseason was the question of whether the Packers had a true No. 1 receiver.

“There’s a lot of talent in our room,” Doubs said during the first week of training camp in late July. “I think it's selfish to have goals because if I don't succeed, I don't think about the team, I think about myself.”

Last season, Doubs was the Packers' most targeted receiver (96) and ranked second behind Jayden Reed with 59 catches for 674 yards. He tied Reed for the team lead with eight touchdowns in all 17 games. As a rookie in 2022, Doubs caught 42 passes for 425 yards and three touchdowns in 13 of 17 games.

Doubs was the second Packers player to be suspended last year. Cornerback Jaire Alexander served a one-game suspension without pay in December for conduct detrimental to the team. Alexander returned the next week and remains a key member of the defense.

It will cost Doubs $54,722 – or 1/18 of his base salary. Players are paid for the 17 regular season games plus the bye week.

The Packers did not add a receiver to the roster for Sunday's game, but signed cornerback Robert Rochell from the practice squad to the active roster and brought fullback Andrew Beck off the practice squad for game day.