Ahead of the Green Bay Packers' Thanksgiving matchup against the Detroit Lions, Matthew Golden was ruled out with a wrist injury, joining Savion Williams and Jayden Reed on the sideline. This meant Dontayvion Wicks would act as the team's WR3. Unfortunately for the Lions, he was interested in more than just being a support act.
The third-year player recorded six receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns, and ended the night with a game-sealing fourth-down conversion. Arguably the most effective offensive player not named Jordan Love, Wicks surprised everyone with some jaw-dropping catches, showing off a clutch gene in the most important game the Packers have played this season.
"That boy played lights out," receiver Romeo Doubs told Weston Hodkiewicz of the team's official website. "I am happy for him. I am happy for him. I am...happy for him. This is a guy I work with day in and day out. I’m just blessed to work with him."
Dontayvion Wicks enjoyed the breakout performance Packers fans have waited for
It's the performance Packers fans always believed Wicks could produce, and now he has delivered.
After a quiet first quarter, Love found Wicks in the end zone for a toe-tapping 22-yard touchdown. This was the first time Wicks had reached the end zone this season, and he still had more in the tank. By halftime, he had 47 yards, the most of any Packer.
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Wicks recorded another 47 yards in the second half, as well as a second touchdown, putting together the best game of his young career. He only had two other multi-touchdown games in his career, coming against the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings.
The dominant performance by Wicks could create some problems down the road for the Packers, as their young receivers begin to think about their next contracts, but for now, it can only be seen as a miracle. The loss of Tucker Kraft hit the team hard, leaving many to wonder who would step up in the receiving game.
Wicks might have just provided an answer.