The Green Bay Packers have activated former CFL receiver Reggie Begelton for Monday Night Football.
Begelton will play at Lambeau Field against the 0-3 Atlanta Falcons. He has been on the Packers practice squad since the end of training camp. Green Bay has produced a 3-0 record, but injuries to No. 1 target Davante Adams (hamstring) and Allen Lazard (core muscle) meant reinforcements were needed.
When Aaron Rodgers takes on Atlanta, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Darrius Shepherd and Malik Taylor will be dressed along with Begelton. Valdes-Scantling has 72 career receptions for 1,198 yards and five touchdowns in 35 career games. Shepherd and Taylor have not registered a reception, yet in their careers.
The 26-year-old Beaumont, Texas native was slated to become a CFL free agent in February. However, NFL teams came calling and Begelton worked out for the Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints and Packers in December.
When Green Bay signed Begelton in January he received a $7,000 signing bonuses and $7,000 of his salary was guaranteed. That’s a small boost of confidence from an NFL franchise. The Packers didn’t select a receiver in 2020 NFL draft.
“Dreams do become a reality. Prayers continue to get answered,” Begelton tweeted.
Begelton was a league all-star and earned the Calgary Stampeders’ nomination for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player award in 2019 after becoming just the fifth player in franchise history to record at least 100 catches in a season. He finished the regular season second in the league with 102 receptions and third in both receiving yards (1,444) and receiving touchdowns (10).
Head coach Matt LaFleur was super impressed with Begelton during virtual meetings in the off-season and built confidence in him during training camp. With Rodgers at the helm. Begelton feels he can be really dangerous in the Packers offence.
