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The Green Bay Packers spent Sunday looking for another wide receiver. They ended the day with two. After re-signing Kisean Johnson following a workout, Green Bay also claimed former LSU receiver Chris Hilton Jr. off waivers from the Washington Commanders, adding another intriguing piece to a receiver room that has suddenly become one of the more fluid position groups on the roster. The timing is no coincidence. Matthew Golden and Jayden Reed both missed Sunday’s practice with injuries, creating additional opportunities for the players fighting for spots behind Green Bay’s established core. The Packers responded by bringing Johnson back and claiming Hilton, who was waived by Washington just one day earlier. For Hilton, it’s another quick turn in what has already been a complicated football journey. Once one of the most highly regarded receivers in the country coming out of high school, Hilton entered LSU with plenty of expectations. Injuries and a lack of consistent opportunity ultimately prevented him from becoming the player many expected. Now, the Packers are giving him another chance. And if nothing else, they are getting a player with one trait that is difficult to teach. Speed. Packers Claim Former High School All-American Receiver Chris Hilton Jr. The High School Star Before Chris Hilton Jr. became an undrafted free agent trying to find a roster, he was one of the more highly regarded receivers in the country. A four-star recruit out of Zachary High School in Louisiana, Hilton was the top-ranked receiver in LSU’s 2021 recruiting class. That class also included future NFL stars Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., which makes the trajectory of Hilton’s career even more interesting. The talent was never particularly difficult to identify. Hilton was a standout football and track athlete, winning state titles in sprints and jumps while building a reputation as one of the fastest players in the state. Then came college football. And then came the injuries. Hilton tore his meniscus as a freshman and missed significant time with additional knee and shoulder injuries during his career. A hairline fracture cost him seven games in 2024. Across five seasons at LSU, he started only seven games. That lack of continuity made it difficult for Hilton to ever establish himself as a consistent part of the Tigers’ offense. The player who arrived at LSU as a highly touted recruit never really got the opportunity to become the player everyone expected him to be. Now, at 23 years old, he gets another opportunity to figure out what that player looks like. The Packers Needed Another Receiver Green Bay’s receiver room has taken some hits during training camp, with Matthew Golden and Jayden Reed dealing with short-term injuries. The Packers responded by bringing Kisean Johnson back into the fold and now adding Hilton. That doesn’t necessarily mean Green Bay is concerned about its top receivers. It means the Packers are doing what every team should be doing in August: making sure there are enough bodies in the building. The top of the depth chart is relatively easy to understand. Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden give the Packers a talented trio with very different skill sets. The questions begin after that. Savion Williams is still developing. Bo Melton has shown flashes. Former San Francisco 49er Skyy Moore brings value as a returner and special-teams player. And now Hilton gets a chance to make the conversation even more interesting. Finding a Way to Stay The biggest challenge for Hilton might not be getting noticed. It will be staying noticed. Speed can get you onto an NFL roster, but it doesn’t necessarily keep you there. Hilton’s biggest concerns coming out of LSU involved his route development, contested catches and ability to consistently contribute outside of his role as a deep threat. The Packers will want to see him become more than a player who can run fast in a straight line. Can he run the full route tree? Can he create separation against NFL defensive backs? Can he make contested catches when a quarterback has nowhere else to go? Can he contribute on special teams? Those questions will determine whether this becomes more than another brief stop. And Hilton doesn’t have much time to answer them. One More Name in a Crowded Room Hilton’s arrival doesn’t suddenly change the Packers’ plans at receiver. It simply gives them another option. And sometimes, that’s all an NFL team is looking for in August. Green Bay has spent the offseason building a younger, faster and more versatile group around Jordan Love. Hilton fits that general philosophy. He’s young, athletic and still has plenty of room to develop. The former LSU receiver has already had to fight for his next opportunity. Now he gets another one in Green Bay. The Packers don’t need to know exactly what Chris Hilton is going to become yet. They just need to find out if there’s something there. More Packers News: Kisean Johnson Gets Another Opportunity in Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur May Have Reached His Expiration Date A Healthy Packers Could Ascend to the Next Level in 2026 Main Image: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect