Packers add receiver Chris Hilton, shuffle injured defensive back and safety ahead of roster deadline

The Green Bay Packers made a pair of roster changes Sunday that reflect both their attention to depth at receiver and their need to manage injuries without losing roster flexibility. After working out multiple wideouts, the team claimed former high school All-American receiver Chris Hilton, adding him to the organization’s active roster plans.

Hilton’s path to Green Bay began with a 2026 combine invitation, and he has also participated in four pre-draft all-star games. Those summer-showcase reps matter for NFL teams scouting players who may not have been on their radar for a traditional season evaluation window, particularly when roster spots become available quickly during training camp practices.

The Packers also re-signed receiver Kisean Johnson after a tryout that he participated in. The timing is significant because Green Bay’s transaction window came right after short-term injuries affected personnel at the position, per the team’s post-practice announcements. Re-adding Johnson after a workout suggests the Packers wanted a familiar depth option who can contribute on offense and on special teams if needed.

In addition to the receiver additions, Green Bay waived two defensive backs while designating them for injury. The players were cornerback Marlon Jones and safety Johnathan Baldwin, both given injury designations. If those players clear waivers unclaimed, they would revert to the Packers’ injured reserve status rather than leaving the team’s control entirely.

That distinction is important for how NFL rosters are managed in August. Waiving an injured player with an injury designation provides the team a process to clear space while still preserving the possibility of retaining the player if other teams pass through waivers. From there, the Packers would have options, including keeping the injured players on injured reserve for the remainder of their injury recovery or negotiating an injury settlement that would make the players free agents as they rehab.

These moves also underline Green Bay’s broader roster strategy as training camp continues: they are filling immediate practice needs without sacrificing longer-term flexibility. By adding Hilton and bringing Johnson back after a tryout, the Packers increase competition among receivers at a time when even brief setbacks to position groups can create sudden gaps in reps.

What to watch next is whether Hilton, Johnson, Jones, and Baldwin find their roles defined quickly. The receiver competition will likely intensify after a claim and re-signing, while the waived players’ statuses will hinge on whether they are claimed on waivers or revert to injured reserve. If the injury-keeping pathway plays out as expected, it will shape who is available for Week 1 preparation and how Green Bay allocates practice reps among the remaining defensive backs.