The Green Bay Packers went into Detroit on Thanksgiving and left with a win and a sweep of the regular-season series against the Lions.
The Packers’ offense has dealt with injuries all season, with receiver Jayden Reed still out and tight end Tucker Kraft out for the year. However, that has created opportunities for others to step up.
On Thanksgiving, that player was receiver Dontayvion Wicks. Wicks delivered his best performance of the season by far, with six catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns.
Jordan Love Praises Dontayvion After Big Thanksgiving Game
The Packers drafted Wicks in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Virginia, and he made a name for himself in his rookie season. The young receiver earned 58 targets and hauled in 39 catches for 581 yards and four touchdowns. Many of those receptions came in big moments and on third down.
However, in his second season, Wicks struggled with drops. The Packers receiver earned more opportunities but didn’t take advantage of them. Wicks had 76 targets in 2024, almost 20 more than in his rookie year. However, he caught only 39 passes — the same number he posted as a rookie.
The drops pushed Wicks to the bench, and his start to the 2025 season was inconsistent. But Quarterback Jordan Love praised Wicks for his effort, saying he is now reaping the fruits of his hard work.
“It’s all about the work. I think he, obviously, was challenged, and to come in and be able to make these plays that he’s making this year is amazing,” Love said on Thursday. “He stepped up, and obviously, today he had a really big day.
“I’m happy for him, very proud of him. But it’s all the work he’s put in. He’s kept his head down, kept grinding, and I think everything is kind of paying off for him.”
Wicks ranked No. 29 in the NFL among all receivers in 2023, according to PFSN’s WR Impact metric. However, he dropped to No. 90 in 2024 and ranks No. 72 this season.
But that does not account for his big Thanksgiving game. Wicks had his best catch-percentage performance of the season with at least four targets.
The Packers receiver caught six of his seven targets, and three were critical contested receptions, which will surely boost his stock after Week 13. “He did a great job of just fighting through the contact and making that catch right there,” Love said. “That’s kind of what this game came down to. He went out there and made that big-time play to ice the game.”
First, Wicks hauled in a 22-yard touchdown on 4th & 3, with the Lions’ safety colliding with him as the ball arrived in the end zone before both tumbled out of bounds. Then, Wicks secured his second touchdown of the day in the third quarter with a short, hands catch in the flat before diving into the end zone. Finally, Wicks made the catch of the game — with one shoe — on fourth down to seal the win for the Packers.
“It’s never been, for him, a lack of talent,” coach Matt LaFluer said on Thursday. “Obviously, you want to go attack the ball aggressively. I think that can help eliminate a lot of drops. I know a lot of great receivers that have struggled with drops and then overcame that.”
That’s what Wicks showed on Thanksgiving against the Lions. Not only did he avoid drops, but he came down with tough, contested catches.
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“He’s got great hands. He’s a natural plucker of the football. It’s never a lack of confidence in him,” LaFluer said. “I can speak for myself and our staff – we’ve never wavered on his ability. He’s just got to keep on approaching it the same way – the way that he has, and games like this are going to happen for him.”
The drops haven’t been Wicks’ only issue. This season, he’s dealt with injuries as well. The Packers receiver has played in 10 of the team’s 12 games, but he hasn’t been 100% healthy.
“I just can’t say enough great things about Wicks. We’ve all seen the tough season it’s been for him,” LaFluer said. “He’s been injured quite a bit, been in and out of the lineup, but he made critical plays all game.
“Just really proud of him, and his mental toughness to stay with it. He’s a hell of a player. He’s a tough guy to cover, and he came up big for us today.”
Wicks’ stat line on Thursday was the best of his career across the board. The Packers receiver had two six-reception games in his rookie season and posted 97 yards and 61 yards in those outings.
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The Packers lost Kraft for the season in Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers and have been without Reed since Week 2. Green Bay got Christian Watson back in Week 8, and Romeo Doubs has consistently stepped up this season.
However, if Wicks can continue his positive trajectory, the Packers’ receiving corps could finally take shape for the stretch run of the regular season.
