Packers Rookie Collin Oliver Facing Uphill Climb as Practice Window Nears Close
The Green Bay Packers are getting healthier at the right time, and that includes a few players working their way back from injured reserve. While wide receiver Jayden Reed made a successful return in Sunday’s win over the Bears, the team is still evaluating a handful of others currently in their 21-day practice window-including rookie defensive end Collin Oliver.
Oliver, a fifth-round pick out of Oklahoma State, came into the league as a hybrid linebacker but has since been slotted into a full-time defensive end role in Green Bay. There was some early buzz around his potential, especially after head coach Matt LaFleur expressed optimism about what Oliver might bring to the table. But with just 11 days left to activate him, the clock is ticking-and the odds aren’t in his favor.
A Promising Prospect, But a Tough Road Ahead
When Oliver’s practice window opened on December 1, LaFleur didn’t hold back in praising his potential. Speaking about the rookie’s role, LaFleur made it clear the team views him strictly as a defensive end and hinted that if Oliver could get up to speed quickly, he might push for some real playing time.
“He’s missed a lot of football,” LaFleur said. “Just to see how he responds to getting in there and how he does, the more quickly he acclimates, the role could grow.”
That’s a big “if,” though. Oliver has been sidelined since training camp with a hamstring injury, and that kind of layoff is tough to overcome-especially for a rookie still adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL. Even if he’s physically ready, he still needs to prove he understands the defensive scheme well enough to be trusted on the field.
And then there’s the numbers game.
A Crowded Depth Chart Leaves Little Room
The Packers’ defensive end room is already loaded. Micah Parsons has cemented himself as a starter, while Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare are splitting time opposite him. Add in former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness, and that’s already four players the team is trying to keep involved.
It’s hard to see the Packers carrying five defensive ends, especially when roster flexibility is critical late in the season. Special teams contributions and positional versatility often tip the scales in these decisions, and that’s where Oliver might fall short-through no fault of his own.
He’s not the only rookie feeling the squeeze. Barryn Sorrell, taken a round earlier than Oliver, is healthy and still struggling to carve out a role.
That’s telling. If a fully available fourth-rounder can’t crack the rotation, it’s even tougher to imagine a fifth-rounder who’s missed three months of development time jumping the line.
Likely a Redshirt Year for Oliver
Unless something changes quickly, it’s shaping up to be a redshirt year for Collin Oliver. The team has to decide soon whether to activate him or shut him down for the rest of the season. And with Brenton Cox Jr. also in the mix for what might be just one available roster spot, Oliver could be the odd man out.
That doesn’t mean the Packers are giving up on him. Sometimes a year of learning, rehabbing, and watching from the sidelines can set the stage for a stronger sophomore season. But as far as 2025 goes, it looks like Oliver’s impact will have to wait.
For now, the focus shifts to 2026-where a fully healthy, more seasoned Collin Oliver might finally get his shot to show what he can do.