Which former Packers are playing in the XFL in 2023?

St. Louis Battlehawks

Following the Rams’ departure from St. Louis after the 2015 NFL season, a professional football team has returned to the city in the form of the XFL’s Battlehawks. Meanwhile, their current roster consists of two players that used to play for the Packers in QB Manny Wilkins and WR Darrius Shepherd.

Following a prolific career at Arizona State, Wilkins signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent after the 2019 NFL Draft. Wilkins saw action in three pre-season games before being released on August 31, 2019. He was subsequently signed to the practice squad, and signed a future contract with the Packers on January 21, 2020. Wilkins was then released a few days after the 2020 NFL Draft, in which Green Bay selected QB Jordan Love in the first round.

Packers WR Allen Lazard recently posted on his Instagram story in support of Wilkins, his former roommate in Green Bay, and the opening weekend of the XFL.

Darrius Shepherd played in 14 games for the Packers across the 2019 and 2020 seasons, primarily as a kick returner. In addition, he recorded six receptions for 47 yards in his time as a Packer.

Following his release from the team in December 2020, Shepherd was on the practice squads of four NFL different teams in 2021. He then spent a few months in 2022 with the Denver Broncos, reuniting with former offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.